Post-caesarean analgesia: a multicentre retrospective analysis comparing practices in Queensland, Australia (2019–2022)
Authors' conclusion
Use of long-acting neuraxial opioid and oral atypical opioids increased, while commonly prescribed slow-release opioid declined with time.
Study context
- Population
- Patients undergoing caesarean delivery in public hospitals in Queensland, Australia, January 2019–July 2022
- Participants
- 27,867 patients
- Exposure
- First 6-month vs last 7-month periods
- First 6-month periodn = 3,242reference
- Last 7-month periodn = 4,307
- Outcome
- Use of long-acting neuraxial opioid, additional RA techniques, simple analgesics, as-required oral opioids for rescue, and patient satisfaction
Methodological detailsmulticentre
- Multicentre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Post-caesarean analgesia use and satisfaction (all patients)
- Neuraxial anaesthesia
- 25,531 (91.6%)
- Neuraxial morphine/hydromorphone (of neuraxial)
- 12 341 (48.3%)
- Paracetamol
- 27,754 (99.6%)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- 26,231 (94.1%)
- Paracetamol + NSAIDs + immediate-release + slow-release oxycodone (most common combination)
- 8035, 30.6%
- Satisfied/very satisfied
- 25,294 (90.8%)
- Regional techniques more common after general anaesthesia (GA) vs neuraxial anaesthesia
- adjusted P < 0.001
- More satisfied/very satisfied with neuraxial anaesthesia
- adjusted P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Change in long-acting neuraxial opioid use over the interval studied
- Increased from 1544 of 3242 (48%) to 2847 of 4307 (66%)
- P < 0.001
- First 6-month vs last 7-month period
Change in slow-release oxycodone use
- Decreased from 2403 (67%) to 2255 (48%)
- P < 0.001
- First 6-month vs last 7-month period
Change in buprenorphine use
- Increased from 181 (5%) to 981 (21%)
- P < 0.001
- First 6-month vs last 7-month period
Change in tramadol use
- Increased from 1299 (36%) to 2258 (48%)
- P < 0.001
- First 6-month vs last 7-month period
Original publication
Post-caesarean analgesia: a multicentre retrospective analysis comparing practices in Queensland, Australia (2019–2022). Int J Obstet Anesth. Published 14 October 2025. doi:10.
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