Results
Patient demographics are displayed in Table 1. No significant differences between groups were noted for age or gender. The study group included 24 THA patients and 3 hip resurfacing patients, and the control group included 20 THA patients and 10 hip resurfacing patients. The control group did include more hip resurfacing patients than the study group (p < 0.05). One patient from the study group was excluded due to previous opioid tolerance, leaving 27 patients for evaluation.
The average length of stay in the study group was 1.93 days and the control group length of stay was 2.47 days (p ≤ 0.05) (Table 2).
The study group and control group morphine equivalent use in the first, second, and third 24 hour intervals are displayed in Table 2. Morphine equivalent use was less in the study group during the first 24 hours compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.05) (Figure 1). During the second and third 24 hours the morphine equivalent use difference was not statistically significant. Morphine equivalent use could not be calculated following hospital discharge. In the study group 13 patients were available for the second 24 hours, and 6 were available for the third 24 hours. In the control group 25 patients were available for the second 24 hours, and 13 were available for the third 24 hours.
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Figure 1.
Morphine equivalent use in milligrams during the first 24 hour period, the second 24 hour period and third 24 hour period following surgery for the study and control groups.
The study group and control group average VAS during the first, second, and third 24 hour intervals are displayed in Table 2. VAS was not significantly different between groups at any time point (Figure 2). VAS could not be calculated following hospital discharge. In the study group 12 patients were available for the second 24 hours, and 7 were available for the third 24 hours. In the control group 25 patients were available for the second 24 hours, and 13 were available for the third 24 hours.
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Figure 2.
VAS average during the first 24 hour period, the second 24 hour period and third 24 hour period following surgery for the study and control groups.
There were no readmissions secondary to pain control in either group. The one patient excluded from the study group for history of opioid use was readmitted for pain control. This patient required more morphine equivalents during the first 24 hours (1,150 mg) than the rest of the study group combined.