Optimizing non-opioid pain control after implant-based breast reconstruction: a review of the literature and proposed pain control algorithm

Abstract

Abstract Despite the intense focus on the opioid epidemic and its known association with surgical procedures, there is a paucity of evidence-based literature on pain management in implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR). Herein, we present an updated review of the literature aimed at identifying pain treatment protocols to minimize narcotic use and its associated potential addiction in IBR. A comprehensive review of the published English literature was conducted using Ovid Medline/PubMed Database without timeframe limitations. The inclusion criteria of selected articles presented in this review included studies reporting objective outcomes of pain modulation (preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively) in IBR. Articles for inclusion were stratified based on intervention. A total of 219 articles were identified in the initial search query, with 23 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Pain optimization interventions in IBR are herein summarized and analyzed based on the reported outcomes of each respective study. There is a substantial need for evidence-based guidelines in the plastic surgery literature for pain optimization without the use of opioids. While this review of studies to date investigates potential solutions, we hope this area of study continues to be a top priority for plastic surgeons to allow for optimized post-operative care for patients following IBR.