Anaesthesia
-
Letter Multicenter Study
Prevalence, management and outcomes associated with anaemia in ICU survivors: a retrospective study.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A pilot multicentre randomised controlled trial of lidocaine infusion in women undergoing breast cancer surgery.
Chronic postoperative pain is common after breast cancer surgery. Peri-operative lidocaine infusion may prevent the development of chronic postoperative pain, but a large-scale trial is required to test this hypothesis. It is unclear whether a pragmatic, multicentre trial design that is consistent with expert guidance, addresses the limitations of previous studies, and overcomes existing translational barriers is safe, effective and feasible. ⋯ Annualised enrolment approximated 50 patients per site per year, with high levels of protocol adherence and ≥ 99% capture of outcomes at 3 and 6 months. The adjusted odds ratio (95%CI) for postoperative pain at 6 months in the lidocaine arm was 0.790 (0.370-1.684). We conclude that this trial, as designed, is safe, effective and feasible in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery, and a larger-scale trial is planned.
-
Multicenter Study Observational Study
Opioid prescription at postoperative discharge: a retrospective observational cohort study.
Opioid misuse is now considered a major public health epidemic in North America, with substantial social and financial consequences. As well as socio-economic and commercial drivers, modifiable risk-factors that have resulted in this crisis have been identified. The purpose of this study was to identify whether, within England, modifiable drivers for persistent postoperative opioid use were present. ⋯ However, 72.9% (78/107) had no written deprescribing advice on discharge. Similarly, of patients prescribed 'when required' opioids, 59.6% (93/156) had a specified duration of their prescription and 33.3% (52/156) were given written deprescribing advice. This study has identified a pattern of poor prescribing practices, a lack of guidance and formal training at individual institutions and highlights opportunities for improvement in opioid-prescribing practices within England.