Perioperative acetaminophen significantly decreased opioid consumption and improved overall pain control following primary rotator cuff repair, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Researchers who randomly assigned 57 patients undergoing rotator cuff repair to oxycodone 5 mg every 6 hours as needed and acetaminophen 1,000 mg every 6 hours as needed after surgery (group 1), oxycodone 5 mg every 6 hours as needed without any additional acetaminophen after surgery (group 2), or 1,000 mg acetaminophen every 6 hours for 1 day prior to and following surgery (group 3) found that patients in group 3 took significantly fewer 5 mg oxycodone pills overall and took significantly fewer narcotic pills each day on average versus group 2. Group 3 reported significantly better overall pain control versus other groups. Satisfaction was similar between the groups, as were side effects related to postoperative medication.
