Highlights
- •Remote patient monitoring with smart pill caps is a novel way of tracking postoperative pain medication usage.
- •After thyroid and parathyroid surgery, pain scores are highest in the first 24 h and decrease thereafter.
- •After thyroid and parathyroid surgery, patients can rely on non-opioid medications.
Abstract
Background
With recent efforts to decrease opioid use following surgery, this study aims to answer:
what pain regimen do patients follow at home? Is it controlling pain?
Methods
This is a prospective, pilot study of thyroid and parathyroid surgery patients. Patients
were prescribed acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and tramadol dispensed in smart pill (Pillsy)
bottles that record “events” corresponding to medication use. Patients received messages
querying their current pain level. Patients were compared to historical controls.
Results
26 patients were in the Pillsy group and 30 in the control group. In the Pillsy group,
pain scores averaged 3.67 out of 10 in the first 24 h after surgery and decreased
each day. Patients took an average of 6.45 doses of acetaminophen, 6.64 doses of ibuprofen,
and 1.82 doses of tramadol in the first week.
Conclusions
Pain scores are highest in the first 24 h after surgery and decrease thereafter. This
acceptable level of pain can be achieved with non-opioid medications.
Graphical abstract
Graphical Abstract
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 29, 2022
Accepted:
December 26,
2022
Received in revised form:
November 30,
2022
Received:
October 18,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
