Preoperative IV Versus Oral Acetaminophen

Comparison of Outcomes When Patients Receive Preoperative IV Acetaminophen Versus Preoperative Oral Acetaminophen

The current study proposes to examine whether there is a significant difference in patient outcomes related to the administration route of preoperative Acetaminophen. Specifically, the study will compare outcomes of surgical patients who receive IV Acetaminophen with surgical patients who receive oral Acetaminophen.

This study will use a randomized, double-blind, controlled design with two arms:

Arm 1: Scheduled IV Acetaminophen and PO placebo provided preoperatively Arm 2: Scheduled PO Acetaminophen and IV placebo provided preoperatively

120 patients will be randomized 1:1 into Arm 1 or Arm 2. All other care, except route of preoperative Acetaminophen, will follow standard care procedures. The following outcome measures will be collected: postoperative pain, postoperative opioid medication administration, postoperative nausea and vomiting, occurrence of respiratory depression postoperatively, occurrence of administration of reversal agent postoperatively, length of stay in recovery room, patient satisfaction with pain control.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years old or older
• Admitted to Bethesda Butler Main Perioperative Services for an outpatient surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy to Acetaminophen
• Lactose intolerance or lactose allergy (placebo capsules contain lactose)
• Hepatic disease
• Having taken a product containing acetaminophen within 6 hours of scheduled surgery time
• Pregnant
• Weight less than 50kg
• Opioid addiction - admits to current opioid addiction and/or substance abuse disorder, and/or currently in treatment for opioid addiction or substance abuse
• Emergent or on-call procedures
• Inpatient surgery