title: Comparison of immediate postoperative pain in implant-based breast reconstructions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Implant-based techniques represent the most common form of breast reconstruction. However, substantial postoperative pain has been associated with implant-based breast reconstruction.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to evaluate immediate postoperative pain in implant-based breast reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed 378 patients who underwent implant-based reconstruction between January 2004 and December 2012. Each patient's visual analog scale (VAS) score, pain medication, and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) attempts were used to assess in-hospital postoperative pain. We evaluated timing of reconstruction post mastectomy, tissue expander (TE) designed fill volume, TE initial fill volume, and single-stage immediate implant (II) versus TE reconstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences in pain parameters were noted between the immediate and delayed postmastectomy reconstruction cohorts. TEs with larger (>300 cc) designed volumes required significantly more narcotic use (p = 0.02) and PCA attempts (p < 0.01). Narcotic use was higher in the larger (>250-cc) TE initial fill group starting on postoperative day 2, but overall differences in VAS score and PCA attempts were not significant. Morphine equivalence (p < 0.01) and non-opioid oral analgesic use (average p = 0.03) of the TE cohort were significantly higher than those of the II cohort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients undergoing TE-based implant reconstruction show greater analgesic use than those with single-stage II-based reconstruction. This may indicate a higher immediate postoperative pain in TE procedures than in II procedures. Furthermore, higher initial fill and designed volume of TE require more morphine equivalence postoperatively. These findings may warrant further preoperative discussion for better pain management and patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: UT Southwestern, Department of Plastic Surgery, Dallas, TX Dallas, TX 75390, USA. Electronic address: Andrew.Gassman@UTSouthwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Andrew A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Gassman
authors.affiliation: University of California Los Angeles, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Los Angeles, CA, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Alfred P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: University of California Los Angeles, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jaco
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Festekjian
authors.affiliation: University of California Los Angeles, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Da Lio
authors.affiliation: University of California Los Angeles, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Charles Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.affiliation: University of California Los Angeles, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crisera
mesh_terms: D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018427:Breast Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D015625:Tissue Expansion Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009020:Morphine
keywords: Breast reconstruction; Pain control; Silicone implant; Tissue expander