Novel Multimodal Pain Control Protocol for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Novel Multimodal Pain Control Protocol for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

The study is a randomized controlled trial investigating a multimodal postoperative pain management protocol which will include use of ice therapy and scheduled opioid-sparing medications for pain control after minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.

The study is a randomized controlled trial investigating a multimodal postoperative pain management protocol which will include use of ice therapy and scheduled opioid-sparing medications for pain control after minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. The study will include women >/= 18yo who speak English and are admitted for observation after a qualifying laparoscopic or robotic gynecologic procedure. The investigators will identify potential participants from the operating schedule, screen for any exclusion criteria, and approach those eligible for inclusion on the day of surgery. All participants will receive a pain regimen with medications commonly used to manage post-surgical pain including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and prescription opioids. Participants randomized to the intervention arm will receive prolonged scheduled NSAID and acetaminophen (96 hours instead of 24 hours) and will receive 24 hours of intermittent ice-therapy (20 minutes every 2-3 hours) on their abdominal incisions beginning within 1-2 hours after surgery. On post-operative day or day 1, a study investigator will administer a study questionnaire to all participants which will include a pain score, satisfaction score, and quality of recovery validated survey (the QoR-40). After discharge, participants will complete short web-based survey questionnaires on day 2 and 3. On day 4 a final and more comprehensive web-based survey will be sent to all participants which will include the 24-hour assessment in addition to the QoR-40 questionnaire, a final satisfaction questionnaire, and pill counts of left-over discharge medications. The day 4 survey completes the participants active part in the study. On or after day 30 a chart review will be performed to assess for post-operative complications, emergency room visits, telephone calls, unexpected office visits, and refill requests. An Ohio Rx Reporting System (OARRS) report will further screen for any additional narcotic prescriptions in the 30 day postoperative period. This will mark completion of participation in study. The completion of the study questionnaires is anticipated to take about 1.5 to 2 hours in total time throughout the study. There are no additional clinic visits or costs associated with participation in this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) major gynecologic procedures including: pelvic floor procedures (uterosacral ligament suspension, sacrocolpopexy, Burch colposuspension) with or without concomitant hysterectomy, adnexal surgery, or vaginal surgery; total or supracervical hysterectomy with or without concomitant adnexal surgery, vaginal surgery, or other minor gynecologic procedures
• Patients admitted to the hospital for at least an overnight observation after their surgery
• English-speaking
• Surgery being performed by one of the five attending surgeons included in study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy. If patient is of childbearing potential and not using contraception a urine pregnancy test will be completed as part of standard practice as part of pre-operative labs.
• Diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain. Documented pelvic pain noted to be of >6 months duration.
• Diagnosis or history of chronic opioid use. Defined as use of opioids most days, for more than 3 months.
• Diagnosis or history of opioid abuse disorder.
• Current daily opioid use.
• Liver, renal, or cardiac disease that is/are a contraindication to any medications used in the study.
• Allergy or intolerance to any medication used in the study (with exception of oxycodone which can be substituted for hydromorphone if necessary).
• Dementia or inability to understand or respond to the study measurement tools.
• Intraoperative exclusion criteria (to be reviewed after surgery is complete): conversion to total vaginal procedure or laparotomy, major intraoperative complications that would deem participant inappropriate for trial (hemorrhage, blood transfusion, conversion to laparotomy, bowel surgery, major urologic procedures including bladder or ureteral repair).