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Clinical Trials/NCT07427043
NCT07427043
Recruiting
Phase 3

Robotic Opioid-free Prostatectomy Enhanced Strategy (ROPES): Implementation of an Opioid-free Multimodal Analgesia Discharge Pathway

Brigham and Women's Hospital2 sites in 1 country300 target enrollmentStarted: March 1, 2026Last updated:

Overview

Phase
Phase 3
Status
Recruiting
Enrollment
300
Locations
2
Primary Endpoint
Post-discharge opioid consumption (MME)

Overview

Brief Summary

This prospective, interventional, open-label, phase 3 randomized study evaluates a multimodal analgesia discharge pathway to reduce automatic opioid prescribing following routine robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). Patients are counseled on post-operative pain management and then may opt into or out of the study with randomization to discharge prescriptions including (A) multimodal plan with additional automatic opioid prescription or (B) multimodal plan alone and instruction to call phone line to request opioid prescription if pain management is insufficient. Additionally, a cohort of historical controls prior to implementation of the study is also prospectively assessed as a pre-study baseline. The primary outcome is postoperative opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes include bowel function recovery, unplanned care encounters including emergency department visits or postoperative phone calls, and same-day discharge rates.

Detailed Description

The Robotic Opioid-free Prostatectomy Enhanced Strategy (ROPES) study will implement and systematically evaluate an opioid-free discharge pathway (OFP) after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Brigham & Women's Faulkner Hospital. Patients are counseled pre-operatively and offered participation. Data will be compared across three prospectively studied groups: pre-implementation historical baseline (current practice), post-implementation ROPES with multimodal analgesia pathway alone (which requires patients to call phone line after discharge to request opioid if pain uncontrolled), and post-implementation ROPES with multimodal analgesia pathway plus up-front small opioid prescription. Standardized multimodal analgesic therapy is provided to all participating patients following study implementation, with opioids used only as needed. There is no change to the surgery and anesthesia plan (though standard care at our center includes injection of local anesthetic to incisions and ketorolac is encouraged at end of the procedure), and patients are allowed opioids while admitted to the post-op recovery area. The study aims to reduce postoperative opioid use while maintaining safety and quality outcomes; this will assess non-inferiority of ROPES OFP in comparison to standard opioid prescribing. Results may inform wider practice change within both our center, the field of urology, and perhaps surgical care more broadly.

Study Design

Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel
Primary Purpose
Health Services Research
Masking
None

Eligibility Criteria

Ages
45 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
Sex
Male
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Men ≥45 years old
  • Undergoing Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy (RALP) at BWH or BWFH
  • Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

  • Chronic kidney disease (baseline Cr \>1.3)
  • NSAID contraindication/allergy
  • Regular opioid use or substance abuse prior to surgery
  • Inability to provide their own consent
  • Deviation from standard surgical practice for RALP (e.g. major complication requiring operative intervention that would result in patient no longer being considered a routine case)

Arms & Interventions

Pre-implementation historical baseline - Standard care prior to study intervention

Active Comparator

Standard care prior to study intervention

Intervention: pre-implementation baseline including opioid (Drug)

Post-implementation ROPES with multimodal analgesia pathway alone

Active Comparator

Educated on post-op pain management, multimodal analgesia scripts given but no pre-emptive opioid script (to obtain opioid after discharge patient must call phone line to request).

Intervention: multimodal analgesia pathway without up-front small opioid prescription (Drug)

Post-implementation ROPES with multimodal analgesia pathway and up-front small opioid prescription

Active Comparator

Educated on post-op pain management, multimodal analgesia scripts given and additionally given pre-emptive standard opioid script.

Intervention: multimodal analgesia pathway with up-front small opioid prescription (Drug)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Post-discharge opioid consumption (MME)

Time Frame: 1-2 weeks after surgery

assessed at post-operative visit

Secondary Outcomes

  • Return of bowel function(1 week)
  • Emergency Department visits(30 days)
  • Postoperative phone calls(30 days)
  • Same-day discharge rate(Day of Surgery)

Investigators

Sponsor Class
Other
Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator

Timothy Clinton

Associate Surgeon

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Study Sites (2)

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