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IV Acetaminophen for Post-Operative Pain Management in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Population

Role of Scheduled Intravenous Acetaminophen for Postoperative Pain Management in an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Population: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03198871
Enrollment
180
Registered
2017-06-26
Start date
2018-05-24
Completion date
2020-11-30
Last updated
2021-01-28

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

Conditions

Abdominal Wall Hernia, Pancreatic Diseases, Bowel Disease, Gastric Disease

Keywords

Post-operative pain, Major abdominal surgery, Colorectal surgery, Gastric surgery

Brief summary

Number of patients with unsatisfactory pain relief defined as average visual analog scale (VAS) more than 5 with or without requirement of IVPCA for pain relief during the first 48 hours postoperative period will be compared between the two groups and form the primary outcome for the study. Postoperative pain intensity will be measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) with 0- being no pain and 10-being maximum pain and the analgesic efficacy in both groups will also be evaluated by the amount of total narcotic consumption (measured with IV morphine equivalent doses of analgesics used to provide pain relief).

Detailed description

In response to an increased focus on improving patient outcomes and satisfaction with surgical care, a growing body of clinical evidence has recently been dedicated to enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols. These evidence-based perioperative pathways aim to optimize patients undergoing surgery in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods. ERAS protocols have incorporated the use of multimodal analgesia to minimize the use of intra- and postoperative opioid analgesics. Lidocaine, ketamine, magnesium, gabapentin, acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are some of the adjuvant analgesics used in combination with regional blocks to optimize analgesia and recovery. Multimodal analgesia has dependably been shown to significantly reduce postoperative opioid requirements as well as opioid-related side effects such as postoperative nausea and vomiting. Both oral and intravenous acetaminophen preparations have been shown to be useful adjuvants in multimodal analgesia. Intravenous acetaminophen has been of interest for its utility in post-surgical patients, who have not yet been cleared for oral intake. Intravenous acetaminophen should also be preferred over oral acetaminophen in patients after major abdominal surgery where absorption of medications given through oral route is erratic. Although the efficacy of intravenous acetaminophen as a postoperative pain adjunct is known, its exact role in ERAS protocols and non-narcotic multimodal analgesic regimens for major abdominal surgery has not been studied in randomized clinical trials to define its efficacy. The primary goal of this study is to assess the utility of a postoperative intravenous acetaminophen dosing schedule in minimizing postoperative pain, opioid consumption and opioid-related side effects. We also aim to study overall patient satisfaction and cost-effectiveness (direct and indirect costs) of this regimen as part of ERAS protocol at a large tertiary medical center.

Interventions

The interventional group will receive 1 gram intravenous acetaminophen at the start of wound closure to be repeated every 6 hours for 48 hours postoperatively

DRUGSodium Chloride 0.9%, Intravenous

The placebo group will be given an intravenous placebo of saline solution at wound closure and repeated every 6 hours for 48 hours postoperatively.

Sponsors

Mallinckrodt
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Kathirvel Subramaniam
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

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

Masking description

Participant, care provider, outcomes assessor and investigator are all blinded to the treatment allocation

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Male or Female * 18 years of age or older * patients scheduled for elective colorectal, pancreatic, and other major abdominal procedure. * Patient consent will be obtained preoperatively for eligible study participants.

Exclusion criteria

* Patients who refuse to participate in the study or part of any other enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) research protocol. * Patients with a documented allergy to acetaminophen. * Chronic alcoholism * Hypovolemia * Chronic malnutrition * Preoperative renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance less than or equal to 30ml/min) or hemodialysis * Patients with a history of hepatic impairment, history of hepatic impairment or active hepatic disease * severe chronic pain condition that required daily preoperative opioid dependence * Patients with pre-existing dementia and/or other neuropsychiatric conditions impeding accurate assessment of pain scores or other study measures will be excluded.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Postoperative Pain IntensityPACU admission every thirty minutes until discharge to the floor and thereafter every four hours for first 24-hour, then every six hours until 48 hours and then every twelve hours until 72 hours postoperatively.Number of patients with unsatisfactory pain relief defined as average numeric rating scale (NRS) more than 5 will be compared between the two groups. This may include patients using IVPCA for pain relief during the first 48 hours postoperative.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Time to Readiness for Discharge From Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)From time of PACU admission until the time of discharge, assessed up to 24 hours postoperativelyThe time from PACU admission to PACU discharge to the floor will be measured.
Time to Bowel MovementFrom time patient left operating room until the time of first documented bowel movement, assessed up to hospital dischargeThe time it takes for the first bowel movement postoperatively will be measured.
Time to Oral IntakeFrom date of randomization until the date of first documented oral intake, assessed up to 72 hours postoperativelyThe time it takes for the patient to ingest orally post-surgery will be measured.
Time to AmbulationFrom date of PACU admission until the date of first documented ambulation, assessed up to 72 hours postoperativelyThe time it takes for the patient to successfully ambulate post-surgery will be measured.
Time to Hospital DischargeFrom date of randomization until the date of hospital discharge or 30 days postoperatively, whichever comes firstThe time it takes for the patient to be fully discharged from the hospital post-surgery will be measured.
Total Post-operative Narcotic ConsumptionFrom time of PACU admission until the time of discharge and 72-hours postoperatively, whichever comes firstRescue analgesia will be given according to institutional pain management protocol. Unit of Measure recorded as OME (Oral Morphine Equivalent) consumption in mg.
Patient SatisfactionThese measurements will be taken at time of discharge up to 30 days, whichever comes firstOverall patient satisfaction as well as satisfaction relating to pain management and cost analyses will be measured. These will be measured with a numerical rating scale (NRS) with 0- being worst satisfaction and 10 - best satisfaction.
Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC)The delirium scores will first be measured every 12 hours for 72 hours after surgery.Number of patients who score greater than a 4 on the 0-8 point ICDSC scale to assess delirium scores. 8 separate levels of signs for delirium assessed (1. altered level of consciousness, 2. inattention, 3. disorientation, 4. hallucination, delusion, or psychosis, 5. psychomotor agitation or retardation, 6. inappropriate speech or mood, 7. sleep-wake cycle disturbance, 8. symptom fluctuation), with 0 points awarded when patient does not exhibit above signs of delirium and 1 point awarded per confirmed sign of delirium. Score then totaled, 0 = normal, 1-3 = subsyndromal delirium, 4-8 = delirium.
Post-operative NauseaThese will be evaluated from the time of PACU admission until 72 hours postoperatively.Nausea will be evaluated by nausea score from 0 to 10, with 0 equaling no nausea and 10 equaling the worst nausea imaginable.
Post-operative EmesisThese will be evaluated from the time of PACU admission until 72 hours postoperatively.Frequency of emesis and rescue antiemetic requirement will be documented
SF-12 Health SurveyThese measurements will take place at 30-days post hospital dischargeSurvey to assess patient's overall health (via a combination of mental and physical health assessment) at 30 days post-discharge. Two summary scores are reported from the SF-12 - a mental component score (MCS-12) and a physical component score (PCS-12). The scores may be reported as Z-scores (difference compared to the population average, measured in standard deviations). The United States population average PCS-12 and MCS-12 are both 50 points. The United States population standard deviation is 10 points. So each 10 increment of 10 points above or below 50, corresponds to one standard deviation away from the average
Number of Participants With Readmission to the HospitalFrom the time of consent until 30 days post-operativelyIf the patient is readmitted to the hospital after being fully discharged, the event will be recorded.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Acetaminophen Injectable Product
Acetaminophen group: Half of subjects enrolled will be randomized to the acetaminophen group Acetaminophen Injectable Product: The interventional group will receive 1 gram intravenous acetaminophen at the start of wound closure to be repeated every 6 hours for 48 hours postoperatively
76
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, Intravenous
Sodium Chloride 0.9% group: Half of subjects enrolled will be randomized to the acetaminophen group Sodium Chloride 0.9%, Intravenous: The placebo group will be given an intravenous placebo of saline solution at wound closure and repeated every 6 hours for 48 hours postoperatively.
78
Total154

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicAcetaminophen Injectable ProductSodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousTotal
Age, Continuous62 years64 years63 years
American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification
II
17 Participants18 Participants35 Participants
American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification
III
57 Participants55 Participants112 Participants
American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification
IV
2 Participants5 Participants7 Participants
Atrial fibrillation2 Participants2 Participants4 Participants
Basal Metabolic Index27.7 kg/m^228.25 kg/m^228.15 kg/m^2
Charlson Comorbidity Index
0
44 Participants41 Participants85 Participants
Charlson Comorbidity Index
1
4 Participants10 Participants14 Participants
Charlson Comorbidity Index
2
23 Participants24 Participants47 Participants
Charlson Comorbidity Index
>2
5 Participants3 Participants8 Participants
Congestive failure1 Participants3 Participants4 Participants
Coronary artery disease2 Participants4 Participants6 Participants
Diabetes4 Participants3 Participants7 Participants
Hypertension10 Participants16 Participants26 Participants
Malignancy28 Participants23 Participants51 Participants
Number of participants taking medications for mental health15 Participants27 Participants42 Participants
Preoperative serum creatinine0.8 (mg/dL)0.82 (mg/dL)0.81 (mg/dL)
Pulmonary disease3 Participants6 Participants9 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
4 Participants2 Participants6 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
2 Participants2 Participants4 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
70 Participants73 Participants143 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
76 participants78 participants154 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
40 Participants44 Participants84 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
36 Participants34 Participants70 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 760 / 78
other
Total, other adverse events
8 / 768 / 78
serious
Total, serious adverse events
3 / 763 / 78

Outcome results

Primary

Postoperative Pain Intensity

Number of patients with unsatisfactory pain relief defined as average numeric rating scale (NRS) more than 5 will be compared between the two groups. This may include patients using IVPCA for pain relief during the first 48 hours postoperative.

Time frame: PACU admission every thirty minutes until discharge to the floor and thereafter every four hours for first 24-hour, then every six hours until 48 hours and then every twelve hours until 72 hours postoperatively.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductPostoperative Pain Intensity33 Participants
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousPostoperative Pain Intensity42 Participants
Secondary

Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC)

Number of patients who score greater than a 4 on the 0-8 point ICDSC scale to assess delirium scores. 8 separate levels of signs for delirium assessed (1. altered level of consciousness, 2. inattention, 3. disorientation, 4. hallucination, delusion, or psychosis, 5. psychomotor agitation or retardation, 6. inappropriate speech or mood, 7. sleep-wake cycle disturbance, 8. symptom fluctuation), with 0 points awarded when patient does not exhibit above signs of delirium and 1 point awarded per confirmed sign of delirium. Score then totaled, 0 = normal, 1-3 = subsyndromal delirium, 4-8 = delirium.

Time frame: The delirium scores will first be measured every 12 hours for 72 hours after surgery.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductIntensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC)0 Participants
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousIntensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC)0 Participants
Secondary

Number of Participants With Readmission to the Hospital

If the patient is readmitted to the hospital after being fully discharged, the event will be recorded.

Time frame: From the time of consent until 30 days post-operatively

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductNumber of Participants With Readmission to the Hospital9 Participants
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousNumber of Participants With Readmission to the Hospital10 Participants
Secondary

Patient Satisfaction

Overall patient satisfaction as well as satisfaction relating to pain management and cost analyses will be measured. These will be measured with a numerical rating scale (NRS) with 0- being worst satisfaction and 10 - best satisfaction.

Time frame: These measurements will be taken at time of discharge up to 30 days, whichever comes first

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEDIAN)
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductPatient SatisfactionPatient satisfaction score, overall10 score on a scale
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductPatient SatisfactionPatient Satisfaction score, pain management10 score on a scale
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousPatient SatisfactionPatient satisfaction score, overall10 score on a scale
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousPatient SatisfactionPatient Satisfaction score, pain management10 score on a scale
Secondary

Post-operative Emesis

Frequency of emesis and rescue antiemetic requirement will be documented

Time frame: These will be evaluated from the time of PACU admission until 72 hours postoperatively.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductPost-operative EmesisEmesis incidence 0-72 hours12 Participants
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductPost-operative EmesisAntiemetic use31 Participants
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousPost-operative EmesisEmesis incidence 0-72 hours14 Participants
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousPost-operative EmesisAntiemetic use45 Participants
Secondary

Post-operative Nausea

Nausea will be evaluated by nausea score from 0 to 10, with 0 equaling no nausea and 10 equaling the worst nausea imaginable.

Time frame: These will be evaluated from the time of PACU admission until 72 hours postoperatively.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductPost-operative NauseaNausea score POD 1 (am visit)1.13 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.82
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductPost-operative NauseaNausea score POD 1 (pm visit)0.49 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.54
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductPost-operative NauseaNausea score POD 2 (am visit)0.71 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.97
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductPost-operative NauseaNausea score POD 2 (pm visit)0.55 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.7
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductPost-operative NauseaNausea score POD 3 (am visit)0.32 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.37
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductPost-operative NauseaNausea score POD 3 (pm visit)0.56 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.77
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousPost-operative NauseaNausea score POD 3 (am visit)0.66 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.18
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousPost-operative NauseaNausea score POD 1 (am visit)0.60 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.76
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousPost-operative NauseaNausea score POD 2 (pm visit)0.69 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.36
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousPost-operative NauseaNausea score POD 1 (pm visit)0.92 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.53
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousPost-operative NauseaNausea score POD 3 (pm visit)0.78 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.42
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousPost-operative NauseaNausea score POD 2 (am visit)0.75 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.39
Secondary

SF-12 Health Survey

Survey to assess patient's overall health (via a combination of mental and physical health assessment) at 30 days post-discharge. Two summary scores are reported from the SF-12 - a mental component score (MCS-12) and a physical component score (PCS-12). The scores may be reported as Z-scores (difference compared to the population average, measured in standard deviations). The United States population average PCS-12 and MCS-12 are both 50 points. The United States population standard deviation is 10 points. So each 10 increment of 10 points above or below 50, corresponds to one standard deviation away from the average

Time frame: These measurements will take place at 30-days post hospital discharge

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEDIAN)
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductSF-12 Health SurveySF 12 Physical score38.72 Z-scores (difference compared to the pop
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductSF-12 Health SurveySF 12 Mental score54.02 Z-scores (difference compared to the pop
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousSF-12 Health SurveySF 12 Physical score38.07 Z-scores (difference compared to the pop
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousSF-12 Health SurveySF 12 Mental score52.08 Z-scores (difference compared to the pop
Secondary

Time to Ambulation

The time it takes for the patient to successfully ambulate post-surgery will be measured.

Time frame: From date of PACU admission until the date of first documented ambulation, assessed up to 72 hours postoperatively

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductTime to Ambulation18.82 hours
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousTime to Ambulation17.38 hours
Secondary

Time to Bowel Movement

The time it takes for the first bowel movement postoperatively will be measured.

Time frame: From time patient left operating room until the time of first documented bowel movement, assessed up to hospital discharge

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductTime to Bowel Movement46.30 hours
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousTime to Bowel Movement64.66 hours
Secondary

Time to Hospital Discharge

The time it takes for the patient to be fully discharged from the hospital post-surgery will be measured.

Time frame: From date of randomization until the date of hospital discharge or 30 days postoperatively, whichever comes first

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductTime to Hospital Discharge4.08 days
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousTime to Hospital Discharge4.94 days
Secondary

Time to Oral Intake

The time it takes for the patient to ingest orally post-surgery will be measured.

Time frame: From date of randomization until the date of first documented oral intake, assessed up to 72 hours postoperatively

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductTime to Oral Intake12.15 hours
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousTime to Oral Intake9.40 hours
Secondary

Time to Readiness for Discharge From Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

The time from PACU admission to PACU discharge to the floor will be measured.

Time frame: From time of PACU admission until the time of discharge, assessed up to 24 hours postoperatively

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductTime to Readiness for Discharge From Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)129.00 minutes
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousTime to Readiness for Discharge From Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)152.50 minutes
Secondary

Total Post-operative Narcotic Consumption

Rescue analgesia will be given according to institutional pain management protocol. Unit of Measure recorded as OME (Oral Morphine Equivalent) consumption in mg.

Time frame: From time of PACU admission until the time of discharge and 72-hours postoperatively, whichever comes first

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEDIAN)
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductTotal Post-operative Narcotic Consumption24-48 hours31.3 mg
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductTotal Post-operative Narcotic Consumption0-48 hours74 mg
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductTotal Post-operative Narcotic Consumption48-72 hours30 mg
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductTotal Post-operative Narcotic Consumption0-72 hours105.00 mg
Acetaminophen Injectable ProductTotal Post-operative Narcotic Consumption0-24 hours27.4 mg
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousTotal Post-operative Narcotic Consumption0-72 hours127.1 mg
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousTotal Post-operative Narcotic Consumption0-24 hours36 mg
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousTotal Post-operative Narcotic Consumption24-48 hours45 mg
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousTotal Post-operative Narcotic Consumption48-72 hours37.5 mg
Sodium Chloride 0.9%, IntravenousTotal Post-operative Narcotic Consumption0-48 hours88.8 mg

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