Opioid-free surgery requires rethinking pain

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Opioids have been soothing human pain for thousands of years. And through their abuse, they have been exacerbating human suffering for perhaps just as long.

Patients have taken wary note. The ongoing opioid epidemic in the U.S. has made a specter of the risks of opioids in medical care – from addiction and dependence to serious cardiac and respiratory side effects. Although these drugs have long been a key part of anesthesia, some patients are opting out of opioids during surgery out of caution.

There is more than one way to address surgical pain, though. And a team of researchers, clinicians and hospital administrators at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is developing an approach to surgery that addresses pain at every physical and emotional level – all without opioids.

In today’s lead story, anesthesia specialists Heather Margonari, Jacques E. Chelly and Shiv K. Goel explain how combining non-opioid drugs with complementary pain management techniques can not only effectively control pain but also improve surgical safety and recovery.

“Transitioning away from opioids in surgery requires a shift in both practice and mindset across the entire health care team,” they write. “All providers would need to be open to using alternative pain management techniques throughout the surgical process.”

One last note: As we head toward Thanksgiving, we are thankful for all the readers who have already given to our fundraising campaign. If you haven’t yet, we’d be thankful for your support of insightful, research-based journalism.

Vivian Lam

Associate Health and Biomedicine Editor

Opioids have been an essential part of anesthesia, but they aren’t the only way to manage pain. Hispanolistic/E+ via Getty Images

Opioid-free surgery treats pain at every physical and emotional level

Heather Margonari, University of Pittsburgh; Jacques E. Chelly, University of Pittsburgh; Shiv K. Goel, University of Pittsburgh

Surgical patients are opting out of opioids due to concerns about side effects and addiction. Combining methods to manage pain can take these fears into account without compromising on care.

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