Innovative Pain Management Strategy Aims to Cut Opioid Use
New Pain Management Technique Revolutionizes Post-Surgical Care
The Colorado Chest Tube offers effective, targeted pain management that's user-friendly
An exciting innovation in the management of post-surgical chest wall pain is set to significantly decrease the dependency on opioids, leading to fewer complications and quicker recoveries for patients. A team comprising a cardiothoracic surgeon and a bioengineer at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus developed a lidocaine-coated chest tube that releases pain relief gradually, allowing for a better healing experience during recovery.
In the past, cardiothoracic surgeries typically required large incisions. Nowadays, many of these procedures can be performed robotically through much smaller openings, effectively reducing physical trauma. However, despite these advancements, patients still experience considerable pain.
Recent studies reveal that one out of eight patients without prior opioid use remains prescribed painkillers 90 days after surgery. This concerning statistic is something that Jessica Rove, MD, an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, aims to diminish.
"The small size of our incisions means we're not breaking bones, and yet our patients continue to struggle with significant pain," Rove noted.
Understanding the dangers connected with prolonged opioid use—dependency, addiction, and risk of overdose—Rove dove deeper into the factors behind post-surgical pain and identified chest tubes as a major contributor.
"Research indicates that opioid use rises with the time a chest tube remains in place, and usage drops significantly once the tubes are removed," she explained.
Her urgent focus led to a collaborative effort with a bioengineer from University of Colorado Denver to develop an innovative approach, combining pain management with sophisticated medical technology, aiming for less dependence on opioids and improved patient outcomes.
Understanding the Challenges Presented by Chest Tubes
Chest tubes are essential for draining excess fluids, air, and blood after cardiothoracic surgeries. While this is vital for preventing infections and complications, these tubes also cause significant pain as they press against the chest wall where nerves reside.
Although patients may not be able to visually locate the tubes within their bodies, they can easily identify the areas of pain. This discomfort can be so severe that it inhibits mobility. However, astonishingly, many patients report feeling significantly better just one day after chest tube removal.
Rove discovered that over 95% of caregivers recognize that patients experience considerable relief once these tubes are taken out. "What our patients need is not more opioids, but more effective pain control targeted where the tube contacts the chest," she stated.
Targeting Pain with Innovative Solutions
Exploring alternatives, Rove found studies proposing localized anesthetic administration around chest tubes to alleviate discomfort. This method provides a focused approach since lidocaine jelly can be applied directly to the painful areas where the tube interacts with the chest wall.
Yet, Rove pointed out a key challenge: applying lidocaine evenly was difficult, akin to spreading peanut butter. All while dealing with the unique properties of silicone tubes that resist adherence, making effective pain control a challenge.
Despite these hurdles, the concept held potential.
Collaborative Innovation with Bioengineering
Rove connected with Daewon Park, PhD, an associate professor of bioengineering at CU Denver. Together, they embarked on a mission to revisit the design of chest tubes by developing a lidocaine-coated model that allows for the slow release of this numbing agent over several days—the typical duration the tubes are utilized.
The coating was carefully designed to ensure both durability and a precise release of pain management, resulting in the revolutionary Colorado Chest Tube technology. This design incorporates nanoparticles within a hydrogel, effectively facilitating lidocaine delivery while ensuring proper drainage.
Fostering Faster Recovery and Return to Health
Given that around 3.9 million chest tubes are utilized in the U.S. every year, this advancement holds the promise of decreased hospital stays and minimized healthcare costs.
The Colorado Chest Tube can be implemented like any standard chest tube, with no additional training required for medical personnel, streamlining clinical workflow.
Rove expects that by alleviating discomfort sooner, patients will start ambulating and expanding their lung capacity faster—leading to fewer complications and a more dynamic recovery process.
Support from the SPARK Program
The drive behind the Colorado Chest Tube gained substantial support from the SPARK Award, which provided essential funding, mentorship, and access to the commercialization expertise of CU Innovations.
"This collaboration embodies the ethos of CU Innovations," Rove remarked. "Their goal is to facilitate open communication and collaboration across various disciplines, preventing isolation in medical innovation. This project exemplifies that spirit."
With over 300,000 U.S. patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery annually, Rove is passionate about helping those in pain without solely relying on opioids. "Being able to precisely target pain relief is a breakthrough we can't wait to share with our patients. It's gratifying to see our efforts making a tangible difference," she said.
The Colorado Chest Tube has already shown effectiveness in preliminary lab tests and is on track to commence clinical trials soon.
Learn More about Us
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is renowned for advancing transformative science, educating future healthcare professionals, and delivering exceptional patient care. Comprising multiple health professional schools, numerous research centers, and independent hospitals, including UCHealth, the campus conducts groundbreaking research supported by significant funding. This commitment ensures that innovative patient treatments and comprehensive professional training are at the forefront of their mission.
Media contact: CU Anschutz Media Relations Team, [email protected]
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