Differences in Post-Cesarean Delivery Pain and Opioid Utilization among Women Utilizing Buprenorphine vs. Methadone during Pregnancy - Abstract
Background: Buprenorphine and methadone are common medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in pregnancy. Buprenorphine’s high affinity
to the mu-receptor may impact postoperative analgesia and increase opioid needs after cesarean delivery. We assessed whether parturients receiving
buprenorphine, compared with methadone, experience higher postoperative opioid requirements or pain scores after cesarean delivery.
Methods: Patients with documented opioid use disorder receiving buprenorphine or methadone MOUD who underwent cesarean delivery at a single
institution (2017-2019) were identified. Outcomes included total postpartum supplemental opioid milligram morphine equivalents (MME) and maximum
postpartum pain scores. Primary analyses compared total postpartum opioid consumption (MME) and maximum postpartum pain scores between MOUD
groups using univariable and multivariable regression, while exploratory analyses evaluated clinical, obstetric, and anesthetic predictors of opioid use and
pain severity. Statistical significance was defined as P<0.05 for primary analyses and P<0.1 for exploratory analyses.
Results: A total of 177 patients were included, 59 (33%) receiving methadone and 118 (67%) buprenorphine. Postpartum opioid requirements and
maximum pain scores were similar between MOUD groups. In exploratory analyses, MOUD did not predict postpartum maximum pain score. Obstetric and
anesthetic factors including estimated gestational age, labor prior to cesarean, conversion to general anesthesia, neuraxial morphine, emergency cesarean
delivery, duration of surgery, and postoperative parenteral opioid patient-controlled analgesia, were associated with higher pain scores and opioid use.
Conclusion: After cesarean delivery, patients receiving buprenorphine and methadone for MOUD had similar postpartum opioid requirements and pain
scores. Additional risk factors for postpartum pain and total opioid dose are identified as opportunities for future research and clinical improvement efforts.
Key Points
Question: Do pregnant patients receiving buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD) experience worse postoperative pain or higher opioid use after
cesarean delivery compared with those receiving methadone?
Findings: After cesarean delivery, patients receiving buprenorphine and methadone for MOUD had similar postpartum opioid requirements and pain
scores.
Meaning: These findings suggest that postoperative analgesic needs among patients receiving MOUD may be driven more by obstetric urgency, anesthetic
course, and perioperative management, rather than MOUD choice.