Multimodal analgesia for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

54 patients undergoing elective arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were randomized to receive either multimodal analgesia (MMA) or a placebo, to determine the efficacy of MMA in reducing postoperative pain and opioid consumption while keeping complications at a minimum. Results revealed significantly lower pain during the first 5 hours and on the 4th postoperative day in the MMA group. Time for pain to reduce to blood draw level was also significantly shorter with MMA. Cumulative PCA consumption was significantly lower with MMA over the first 24 hours. Consumption of rescue morphine was significantly lower during the first 6 hours and from 48-60 hours postoperatively. Incidence of night awakening, opioid-related side effects were similar between groups and no complications were reported.