Early Recovery Program Reduces Opioid Use by 80% After Cesarean Delivery

Over the past two years, Saddleback Hospital, in Laguna Hills, Calif., has implemented a robust ERAC (early recovery after cesarean) protocol that includes a transversus abdominis plane block with liposomal bupivacaine for post-op cesarean delivery pain. Results have shown that the protocol has reduced the use of narcotics for the post-op period by 80%, and has improved the overall satisfaction with the post-op period considerably by reducing nausea and vomiting, itching, and constipation. In addition, hospital length of stay has been reduced by one day.

According to Steve Garber, MD, a practicing obstetric anesthesiologist for more than 30 years, moms are eating earlier, up and around quicker, and ready and willing to go home earlier. The patient in this case study, who had a myomectomy 20 months earlier, essentially had a very similar surgery to a cesarean delivery. The incision was the same, the uterus was operated upon and the patient remained in the hospital. Her post-op course, as related to Garber and her husband, was vastly different in regard to her narcotic usage and how she felt. She was “out of it” for two to three days, and these were days she was home already. She felt dizzy, wasn’t able to concentrate and was in moderate pain, which is to be expected for the extent of her procedure.

So now, we get to compare the experience for the same patient, having essentially a very similar surgery, with a different post-op pain protocol: the ERAC protocol. Of note is the extent of the hemorrhage that occurred, the overnight stay in the ICU, Bakri balloon intervention and the patient didn’t require any narcotics for pain throughout her stay. The patient was amazed how well she felt post-op day 1, back in her private room with her newborn.

“Cesarean delivery is the most commonly performed major surgery in the world, with 1.3 million performed in 2019,” Garber said. “Unfortunately, every year 26,000 women become persistent opioid users after cesarean delivery. With a robust ERAC protocol, the reduction of opioid use is quite significant.

“If you look at our patient, if no ERAC protocol was used, she would have felt the same, or probably worse, than after her first surgery. Lethargic, out of it, dizzy, and would have been expected to bond with and take care of a newborn. The first hours and days with a newborn are so precious, and I believe all the moms should have the ability and opportunity to experience it with little to no narcotic use.”