DALLAS, Oct 14 (Reuters Health) -- Men who have undergone prostatectomy to treat early prostate cancer are usually in the hospital for 3 to 5 days. But researchers at the University of Chicago, Illinois, found that the drug methadone relieved postoperative pain so well that patients could get up, walk and eat soon after surgery, and even go home the next day.
Dr. Evelina Worwag reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists this week that methadone -- best known as a treatment for heroin addiction -- is an effective pain reliever when used in small doses.
A group of 252 men in the Chicago study received epidural anesthesia during prostate surgery and an injection of methadone immediately afterwards. Patients also received two over-the-counter analgesics, ibuprofen and acetaminophen in combination, after the operation for further pain relief.
Worwag reported that 127 men, or 75% of those who received postoperative methadone, were discharged the day after surgery. Another group was considered eligible for discharge by surgeons but the men elected to stay longer. About 10% of those discharged early had to be readmitted, most often to treat blood clots in the bladder.
A mail survey taken later showed that 97% of the men who answered the questionnaire were satisfied with their care and with the management of their pain.
Hospitals nationwide are experimenting with shorter hospital stays after many kinds of surgery. There is a hesitation to discharge early in the case of prostatectomy and some other procedures, however, because they are associated with significant postoperative pain and a risk of bleeding.
Worwag said her study showed that early discharge after prostatectomy was safe, and that patients in general were satisfied with the pain management.
