Project 465334

Opioids are widely used during surgery as a part of general anaesthesia. In addition to short-term side effects such as nausea and dizziness, the use of opioids can also lead to long term opioid-dependence. Canada, like many other countries, is experiencing an opioid crisis with numerous communities reporting an alarming number of opioid-related deaths. Importantly, since more than one million surgeries are performed yearly in Canada, the use of opioids in perioperative care is contributing to the health and social burden associated with opioid use (opioid crisis). In that context, alternative drugs to opioids have been proposed. Such alternative drugs could provide similar or better benefits in terms of comfort and recovery after surgery, in addition to reducing opioid exposure and their adverse effects. Working with our patient partners and knowledge users, we will conduct a rigorous review of published literature on studies that assess alternative drugs to opioids during surgery. This study will provide us with a comprehensive overview of which opioid alternatives are used during surgery and how they can benefit patients in their recovery, satisfaction, quality of life, and function after surgery. Our primary goal is to help address the burden of the opioid crisis across Canada by reducing potential unnecessary use of opioids during surgery and finding effective alternatives that benefit outcomes important to patients. Our work will also help inform future research evaluating important identified opioid-minimizing interventions during surgery.