Background Kuwait is considered one of the top countries in the prevalence of obesity. There are no studies of the perioperative and postoperative analgesia use in Kuwait. Objectives To review and assess the use of analgesics in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), including the choice, dosage regimen, and duration in perioperative and postoperative periods. Methods A retrospective pre and post educational intervention study was conducted. Inclusion criteria were primary MBS and age ≥ 18. An educational seminar in line with the best practices of analgesics use was developed and delivered by a PharmD trainee under the supervision of a surgeon and a faculty preceptor to staff from surgical, anesthesia and nursing departments. Results Data of a total of 25 patients in the pre-educational intervention period, and 25 patients in the post-intervention period were analyzed. About 92% of all patients received multimodal intraoperative analgesia, comprising paracetamol with either NSAID or opioid, or both. There was no difference between the number of patients who received a multimodal analgesic approach in both study periods. Pain assessment was conducted in 32% (n= 8) of the patients in post-intervention period. Conclusion Implementing an educational lecture did not significantly influence the choice of medication, which indicates the good prescribing practice in the study location. Yet, the intervention resulted in the use of pain assessment tool that shall positively reflect the real need for opioid use. The study also highlights the role played by pharmacists and PharmD trainees in achieving best patient-centered care.
Bayoud et al. (Mon,) studied this question.