Intra‐operative methadone effect on quality of recovery compared with morphine following laparoscopic gastroplasty: a randomised controlled trial

Summary The effect of intra‐operative intravenous methadone on quality of postoperative recovery was compared with morphine after laparoscopic gastroplasty. We included 137 adult patients with a body mass index > 35 kg.m−2 who underwent bariatric surgery. Patients were allocated at random to receive either intra‐operative methadone (n = 69) or morphine (n = 68). All patients received the same postoperative care and analgesia. The primary outcome of postoperative quality of recovery was assessed using the Quality of Recovery‐40 questionnaire total score 24 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes were assessed in the post‐anaesthesia care unit the night of the day of surgery (T1), in the morning after surgery (T2); and at night on the day following surgery (T3). The median (IQR [range]) total Quality of Recovery‐40 questionnaire score of 194 (190–197 [165–200]) was higher (p