Surgery and Anaesthesia

Opioid-Sparing Techniques

Opioid-sparing techniques aim to reduce reliance on opioids for pain management in surgical patients, addressing concerns about addiction and side effects. These approaches often involve multimodal analgesia, which combines various medications and therapies to enhance pain relief while minimizing opioid use. Common strategies include the use of non-opioid analgesics, such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), along with regional anesthesia techniques like nerve blocks. Additionally, adjunct therapies, such as gabapentinoids and local anesthetics, can be incorporated to improve pain control. Research has shown that implementing opioid-sparing protocols not only reduces the quantity of opioids prescribed but also leads to improved patient satisfaction and quicker recovery times. This trend reflects a growing commitment to safer, more effective pain management practices in surgery.