Articles: analgesics.
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Over the past decades, opioid prescriptions have increased in the Netherlands. The Dutch general practitioners' guideline on pain was recently updated and now aims to reduce opioid prescriptions and high-risk opioid use for non-cancer pain. The guideline, however, lacks practical measures for implementation. ⋯ In this pragmatic Delphi study, components for an opioid reduction tool for Dutch primary care-givers are identified. These components need further development, and the final tool should be tested in an implementation study.
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Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been utilized to alleviate pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). However, the optimal timing of administration remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of pre-operative and postoperative TAP blocks as analgesic options after LC. ⋯ The findings suggest that the postoperative TAP block may be slightly more effective in reducing 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption and PONV when compared to the pre-operative TAP block.
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In response to the opioid crisis, U.S. states have passed laws requiring urine drug testing (UDT) when opioid analgesics are prescribed for chronic pain. We sought to identify state law UDT requirements. ⋯ Relatively few states have UDT mandates associated with prescribing opioids as chronic pain treatment. When developing policy indicators for empirical studies, researchers evaluating how UDT policy affects health outcomes must consider the complexity and lack of uniformity of UDT requirements. In addition, even if states mandate UDT, it is unclear whether clinicians understand the best way to use the test results.
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Review Meta Analysis
Comparative efficacy and safety of non-neuraxial analgesic techniques for midline laparotomy: a systematic review and frequentist network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
Fascial plane blocks provide effective analgesia after midline laparotomy; however, the most efficacious technique has not been determined. We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials to synthesise the evidence with respect to pain, opioid consumption, and adverse events. ⋯ PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42021269044.