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Does Intraoperative Methadone Prevent Postoperative Pain in Bariatric Surgery?

Does Intraoperative Methadone Prevent Postoperative Pain in Bariatric Surgery?

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02775474
Enrollment
32
Registered
2016-05-17
Start date
2016-06-30
Completion date
2017-01-31
Last updated
2017-01-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic Pain, Pain, Postoperative

Keywords

Methadone, Pain, Postoperative, Chronic Pain, Bariatric Surgery

Brief summary

The recent increase in obesity has led to an increase in the need for bariatric surgery. In this group of patients the postoperative pain management is of vital importance. One strategy to improve postoperative analgesia is the use of intraoperative methadone, specially in those patients which regional anesthesia is not feasible. There is evidence that the use of intraoperative methadone can lead to a analgesia lasting 24 to 36 hours, while not associated with increased side effects when compared to other opioids with short or intermediate duration of action. In this study the investigators will evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative methadone in reducing postoperative pain and opioid consumption.

Detailed description

Despite recent developments in postoperative pain control, many patients still suffer from moderate to severe pain after surgery. It is estimated that postoperative severe pain occurs in 20 to 40% of surgical procedures. With the recent increase in obesity incidence in the last years, the need for bariatric surgical intervention is greater. The management of postoperative pain in obese patients is particularly important, since this population have increased susceptibility to cardiovascular, pulmonary and thromboembolic perioperatively. One of the strategies to improve pain management in the perioperative period is the intraoperative use of intravenous methadone, given its pharmacokinetic profile, specially in those patients in which regional anesthesia is contraindicated. Methadone is an opioid μ (MOR) receptor agonist, also a glutamate antagonist by blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and a reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline inhibitor. Intraoperative analgesia generated by administration of 20 to 30 mg methadone can last 24 to 36 hours. There is also evidence that methadone at 0.2 to 0.3 mg / kg is not associated with an increased incidence of side effects compared to other opioids with short or intermediate duration of action, such as fentanyl, sufentanyl and morphine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative methadone in reducing postoperative pain and opioid consumption in patients undergoing open gastroplasty with or without associated Roux Y. Patients will undergo standardized general anesthesia, and the opioid used in anesthesia induction is methadone 0.15 mg / kg fentanyl or 6 mcg / kg bolus with additional if necessary. After extubation a intravenous morphine patient controlled analgesia device will be already available in the operating room. Groups will be compared regarding opioid consumption, pain scores, side effects, patient satisfaction and development of chronic postoperative pain.

Interventions

DRUGUse of Intraoperative Intravenous Methadone

The intervention group will be given intravenous methadone at a fixed induction dose (0,15 mg / kg) and intraoperative boluses as judged necessary by the anesthesiologist

DRUGUse of Intraoperative Intravenous Fentanyl

The active control group will be given intravenous fentanyl at a fixed induction dose (6 mg / kg) and intraoperative boluses as judged necessary by the anesthesiologist

Sponsors

University of Sao Paulo General Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Open bariatric surgery * No contraindications for any drugs used during the trial * Read, understood and signed the informed consent

Exclusion criteria

* Laparoscopic bariatric surgery * Known allergy to any drugs used during the trial * Cardiovascular disease * Creatinine clearance lower than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 * Chronic usage of opioids * History of personality disorder

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Postoperative PainUntil 3 months postoperativelyPostoperative pain will be evaluated using a verbal numerical pain scale (ranging from 0 to 10)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Postoperative opioid consumptionUntil 3 months postoperativelyPostoperative opioid consumption will be evaluated at fixed postoperative times: 2h, 6h, 24h, 48h, 72h and 3 months
Side effectsUntil 3 months postoperativelyNausea, vomiting, itching, urinary retention, respiratory depression, sedation will be evaluated at fixed postoperative times: 2h, 6h, 24h, 48h, 72h and 3 months
Chronic postoperative pain3 months postoperativelyPatients will be evaluated for chronic pain 3 months postoperatively through a questionnaire which includes questions about numerical verbal scale of pain in the last three months, analgesic consumption and satisfaction with analgesia regimen

Countries

Brazil

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026