Enhancing the Enhanced Recovery Program in Colorectal Surgery - Use of Extended-Release Epidural Morphine (DepoDur®)

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology and Pain Management
• Surgical Recovery Protocols
• Pharmacological Interventions

Background:

• DepoDur® is a single-dose epidural extended-release morphine formulation.
• It offers potential advantages over traditional pain management strategies.
• Enhanced Recovery Programs (ERP) aim to optimize surgical patient recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of DepoDur® in colorectal surgery patients within an ERP.
• To determine if DepoDur® can further enhance the existing ERP protocols.
• To assess pain control, mobilization, and analgesic requirements.

Main Methods:

• Prospective audit of 280 patients undergoing colorectal surgery with DepoDur® (July 2010 - April 2012).
• Inclusion of both open and laparoscopic procedures.
• Primary outcomes: resting/dynamic pain, mobilization, need for additional analgesia.

Main Results:

• Effective pain control observed at 24 and 48 hours post-surgery.
• 81% and 62% of patients required only simple analgesia at 24 and 48 hours, respectively.
• High mobilization rates: 79% at 24 hours and 88% at 48 hours.

Conclusions:

• DepoDur® demonstrates effectiveness as an alternative to conventional pain management.
• Its use may significantly enhance colorectal surgery enhanced recovery programs.
• Supports DepoDur® as a valuable component in multimodal analgesia for surgical recovery.