Table 2. Postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption.
| POD | Average Pain Score1 | Maximum Pain Score1 | Postoperative Opioid Consumption (ME)2 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Est | 95% CI | P value | Est | 95% CI | P value | Est | 95% CI | P value | |
| 0 | -1.84 | -6.35, 2.67 | 0.142 | -1.21 | -6.20, 3.79 | 0.569 | 1.36 | 1.01, 1.83 | 0.045 |
| 1 | 0.54 | -2.81, 3.89 | 0.863 | 1.49 | -2.58, 5.55 | 0.286 | 1.35 | 1.10, 1.66 | 0.004 |
| 2 | 1.55 | -1.67, 4.77 | 0.143 | -1.02 | -5.14, 3.10 | 0.621 | 1.11 | 0.87, 1.41 | 0.405 |
| 3 | 1.10 | -2.11, 4.32 | 0.46 | -0.56 | -4.79, 3.68 | 0.886 | 0.84 | 0.62, 1.14 | 0.252 |
1Pain scores were square root transformed in the analyses, results presented here are back-transformed for ease of interpretation.
2 Postoperative opioid consumption was log-transformed in the analyses, results presented here are back-transformed for interpretation.
Estimates from linear regression models estimating the differences in average and maximum pain score and opioid consumption between intravenous and oral methadone groups, controlling for methadone dose and covariates. A positive estimated difference indicates more pain or more opioid consumption in the oral methadone group compared to IV methadone group. [POD–postoperative day number; ME–morphine equivalents; Est–estimated difference (back-transformed); CI–confidence interval]