Opioid-free percutaneous nephrolithotomy: an initial experience

Introduction The opioid epidemic in the United States is an ongoing public health crisis that is in part fueled by excessive prescribing by physicians. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a procedure that conventionally involves opioid prescriptions for adequate post-operative pain control. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a non-opioid pain regimen by evaluating post-operative outcomes in PCNL patients discharged without opioids. Materials and methods As a quality improvement measure to reduce opioid consumption our department began routinely prescribing oral ketorolac instead of oxycodone–acetaminophen for pain control after PCNL. We retrospectively compared patients undergoing PCNL who had received ketorolac prescriptions (NSAID) to those who received oxycodone–acetaminophen prescriptions (NARC). Demographic, operative, and post-operative factors were obtained and compared in both groups. Peri-operative factors and demographics were compared using either Chi-squared tests, Mann–Whitney U tests. Surgical outcomes were compared between the two groups using Chi-squared tests and Fisher’s exact tests. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether ketorolac use was an independent predictor of post-surgical pain-related encounters. Primary outcome was unplanned pain-related healthcare encounters inclusive of office phone calls, unscheduled office visits, and emergency department (ED) visits. Secondary outcome measures were non-pain-related healthcare encounters, hospital readmissions, pain-related rescue medications prescribed, and post-op complications. Results There were similar demographics and peri-operative characteristics amongst patients in both cohorts. There was no significant difference identified between NSAID and NARC regarding unplanned pain-related encounters (8/70, 11.4% vs. 10/70, 14.3%, p = 0.614). However, NARC experienced more unplanned phone calls (42, 60% vs. 24, 34.3%, p = 0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed only prior stone surgery was predictive of pain-related encounters after PCNL ( p = 0.035). Conclusion Our results show that there were no significant differences in pain-related encounters between those who received ketorolac and oxycodone–acetaminophen following PCNL. A non-opioid pathway may mitigate the potential risk associated with opioid prescription without compromising analgesia. Prospective comparative studies are warranted to confirm feasibility.