Home-based intravenous analgesia with elastomeric pump as an outpatient procedure for pain control after anterior cruciate ligament repair

Abstract Objective To follow up pain in the immediate postoperative period, using an elastomeric pump in anterior cruciate ligament surgery. Material and methods 309 patients who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament repair with bone-tendon-bone allograft. Pain control was assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS) during the immediate postoperative period, in the postoperative care unit, in the recovery room, and after the first 24–48–72 h following home discharge. The need for rescue medication, adverse effects observed and emergency visits were also registered. Results 309 patients were assessed (264 males, 45 females), mean age 33 (range: 18–55). Postoperative pain was mild in 44.7% of patients, and 38.5% were pain-free. At discharge, 41.1% of patients reported mild pain and 57% were pain-free. At home, mild to moderate levels of pain were maintained and over 97% of patients presented VAS values ≤3. Fewer than 3% had adverse effects, 8.7% had to use analgesic medication at some point. Pruritus occurred in less than 1% of patients receiving intravenous analgesia at home, and fewer than 2% had device-related complications. Discussion There is no consensus regarding the postoperative management of anterior cruciate ligament lesions, although most surgeons use multimode anaesthesia and different combinations of analgesics to reduce postoperative pain. Conclusions The use of an intravenous elastomeric pump as postoperative analgesia for anterior cruciate ligamentoplasty has yielded good results.