Postoperative pain control in orthopedic surgery: A randomized trial comparing regional anaesthesia and systemic opioids

Effective pain management is crucial for recovery after orthopedic surgery, influencing outcomes, hospital stay duration and patient satisfaction. This randomized trial compared regional anesthesia (RA) with systemic opioid therapy for postoperative pain control in 100 patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. RA resulted in significantly lower pain scores at 12, 24 and 48 hours post-surgery (p < 0.001) and reduced opioid consumption (p < 0.001). Adverse effects like nausea and vomiting were more common in the opioid group (p = 0.002), while functional recovery was superior in the RA group (p = 0.015). The length of hospital stay was similar between groups (p = 0.116). These findings indicate that RA is more effective than systemic opioids for postoperative pain management, with fewer side effects and improved functional recovery, making it a preferred option in orthopedic surgery.