Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of an Enhanced Recovery Protocol for Anorectal Surgery

Phase 4

Completed

Interventions: Combination Product: ERAS
Combination Product: Standard of care

Brief Summary: The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether being randomized to an aggressive postoperative non-narcotic pain regimen that treats pain from multiple different pathways may decrease postoperative pain levels, decrease constipation, and decrease the dependency on opioid medications after anorectal surgery versus the standard of care for managing pain. This use of a more aggressive pain regimen is considered an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol because it is theorized to improve or "enhance" postoperative recovery by both decreasing the use of narcotics and their detrimental effects as well as increasing the benefit of using additional non-narcotic pain medication.

Detailed Description: Although pain is a predictable part of the postoperative experience, inadequate management of pain is common and can have profound implications Most patients who undergo surgical procedures experience acute postoperative pain, but evidence suggests that less than half report adequate postoperative pain relief. Many preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative interventions and management strategies are available for reducing and managing postoperative pain. Mostly, pain is treated with opioids which are narcotics. medically they are primarily used for pain relief and these are historically considered "safe" drugs as they do not impose an increased risk of bleeding, kidney, or stomach problems. However, many patients taking high dose opioids have a higher risk of constipation. Unrelieved postoperative pain may result in economic and medical implications such as extended lengths of stay, readmissions, and patient dissatisfaction with medical care. With the rising concern over narcotic use, physicians are increasingly seeking alternative ways to help patients manage pain throughout their hospital stay and beyond However, few studies in anorectal surgery have shown that using an aggressive postoperative non-narcotic pain regimen (ERAS) can help reduce postoperative pain and decreased returns to emergency care.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Able to freely give written informed consent to participate in the study and have signed the Informed Consent Form;
Males or females, age 18 to 70 years old at the time of study screening;
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class I-III (Appendix III) undergoing elective anorectal surgery
Patients undergoing the following hemorrhoid surgeries will be included:
Excisional single column or multiple column hemorrhoidectomy including internal and external component
Stapled hemorrhoidpexy (aka procedure for prolapsed hemorrhoids with or without excision of external hemorrhoid or skin tag)
Trans anal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy (THD) with or without excision of external hemorrhoid or skin tag
Patients undergoing the following anal fistula surgery will be included:
Anal fistulotomy or fistulectomy of intersphincteric or tran-sphincteric fistula with wound > 1 cm
Endorectal or an cutaneous advancement flap for anal fistula re-pair

Exclusion Criteria

Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent or comply with study procedures
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class IV or V; emergency surgeries
Children <18
Patients over age 70 due to small risk of altered mental status with gabapentin in elderly6
Patients with impaired renal clearance (baseline creatinine 1.5mg/dL, creatinine clearance < 60ml/min or known renal dysfunction)
Patients with known liver dysfunction (Childs class A, B, or C)
Patients with prior liver or kidney transplant
Pregnant patients
Patients requiring emergency surgery
Patients taking narcotics or steroids at the time of surgery
Patients having external hemorrhoidectomy or skin anal tag excision only
Patients having anal abscess drainage, seton placement without definitive fistula repair, or ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract, subcutaneous fistulotomy or fistulotomy with wound <1 cm

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Arm 1 (multimodal ERAS)	ERAS	Arm1 (Multimodal ERAS): Preoperative: oral gabapentin 600mg and oral acetaminophen 1,000mg Postoperative pain control: 1. Gabapentin oral 300 mg TID (#42, refill #1) 2. Acetaminophen oral 1000mg TID (#42, refill #1) 3. Ketorolac oral 10 mg TID (#15, refill #0) 4. Oxycodone oral 5 mg PRN every 6 hours (#30, refill #0) Postoperative laxative regimen: 1. Daily MiraLAX 1 scoop in 1 glass of water for 15 days 2. Daily milk of magnesia 1 tablespoon if no bowel movement by POD2 until regular bowel movements 3. Daily mineral oil 1 table spoon if no bowel movement by POD2 until regular bowel movements
Arm 2 (control)	Standard of care	Postoperative pain control: 1. Oxycodone oral 5 mg PRN every 6 hours (#30, refill #0) 2. Patients will be allowed to take oral acetaminophen and ibuprofen over the counter if needed but active narcotic-sparing pain management regimen will not be implemented Postoperative laxative regimen: 1. Daily MiraLAX 1 scoop in 1 glass of water for 15 days 2. Daily milk of magnesia 1 tablespoon if no bowel movement by POD2 until regular bowel movements Daily mineral oil 1 table spoon if no bowel movement by POD2 until regu-lar bowel movements

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Total Narcotic Use Postoperatively in Oral Morphine Equivalents	1 week postoperatively	Total amount of narcotics used

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Complications	1 month postoperatively	Number of participants who experienced complications
Median Postoperative Pain Scores	1 week postoperatively	Level of pain measured on a scale of 0-10 with 0 being the lowest level of pain and 10 being the highest level of pain as reported by the participant