2024 US-China Round Table Consensus Discussion on Perioperative Opioid Management.

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology and Pain Management
• Pharmacology
• Health Policy

Background:

• Inappropriate perioperative opioid use poses a significant global safety risk.
• Disparities in opioid usage practices between the United States and China necessitate international collaboration.
• Addressing perioperative opioid management requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To convene experts from the US and China for a roundtable discussion on perioperative opioid management.
• To identify current issues and explore potential solutions for improving opioid use in the perioperative period.
• To foster consensus on safer opioid management strategies applicable across diverse medical systems.

Main Methods:

• Roundtable discussion involving a diverse panel of experts including policy experts, clinicians, scientists, and industry leaders.
• Focused discussions on policy impact, education, monitoring, novel drug development, and perioperative outcomes.
• Comparative analysis of opioid usage practices between the United States and China.

Main Results:

• Agreement on the critical need for standardized terminology in opioid usage and pharmacology.
• Identification of key areas for improvement: policy, education, monitoring, and novel drug development.
• Recognition of significant differences in opioid practices between the US and China.

Conclusions:

• Development of standardized terminology for opioid usage and pharmacology is essential.
• Practical recommendations for safe and effective perioperative opioid management are needed.
• International collaboration can yield valuable insights for global opioid stewardship.