ObjectiveTo explore the effect of standardized multimodal analgesia (SMA) on opioid consumption after major upper abdominal surgery under enhanced recovery after surgery pathway. MethodsPatients who underwent major upper abdominal surgery in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University between August and November 2020 were included prospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: SMA group (n=175) and control group (n=632). The SMA was defined as preoperative and postoperative use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, combined with regional anesthesia, local anesthetic wound infiltration or intrathecal opioid. The postoperative opioid consumption in oral morphine equivalents, the pain scores on movement and at rest, the postoperative rehabilitation were recorded and compared between the two groups. ResultsPatients in the SMA group had a lower opioid consumption during the first 72 h compared to patients in the control group (median: 51 mg vs. 85 mg, P<0.001). The pain scores on movement and at rest at 24, 48, 72 h after surgery in the SMA group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Time to first flatus, time to first ambulation, postoperative hospital stay in the SMA group were significantly shorter than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the quality of life scores at 5 d after surgery increased significantly (P<0.05). The satisfaction with analgesia and the incidence of adverse effects on day 5 after surgery had no statistical significances between the two groups (P>0.05). After controlling for confounding factors, multiple linear regression analysis showed that SMA was associated with less opioid consumption on hour 72 after surgery (P<0.001). ConclusionSMA can reduce postoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing major upper abdominal surgery.
