Transitional Pain Service: An Update.

Area of Science:

• Pain Medicine
• Surgical Outcomes
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) and opioid dependency are significant risks after major surgery.
• Transitional Pain Service (TPS) offers an interdisciplinary approach to perioperative pain management.
• TPS aims to prevent acute pain from becoming chronic through continuous, patient-centered care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the framework, principles, and evidence for Transitional Pain Service (TPS).
• To summarize interventions for managing postoperative pain within a TPS model.
• To identify future research directions for TPS.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on Transitional Pain Service (TPS).
• Synthesis of evidence regarding TPS effectiveness and interventions.
• Discussion of current gaps and future research needs in TPS.

Main Results:

• Studies indicate TPS can reduce perioperative and post-discharge opioid consumption.
• Evidence suggests TPS improves functional outcomes, with patients reporting less pain severity and interference.
• Direct evidence linking TPS to a reduction in the incidence of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is still lacking.

Conclusions:

• Transitional Pain Service (TPS) shows promise in managing postoperative pain and reducing opioid use.
• Further research is required to establish TPS's definitive impact on preventing chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP).
• Evaluation of TPS cost-effectiveness and expansion via digital health is warranted.