Perioperative Ketorolac Use and Postoperative Hematoma Formation in Reduction Mammaplasty: A Single-Surgeon Experience of 500 Consecutive Cases

What is it about?

Ketorolac is a potent analgesic that may be used to control postoperative pain following breast reduction, while also reducing prescribe amounts of opioid analgesia. Traditionally surgeons have avoided ketorolac use due to concerns regarding postoperative bleeding (i.e hematoma formation). We reviewed 500 adolescent and young adult female patients who underwent breast reduction and found no association between ketorolac use and postoperative bleeding. However, ketorolac use was largely associated with decreased perioperative opioid use. This has major implications for surgical care, particularly as surgeons and anesthesiologists seek opportunities to optimize pain management and avoid potential opioid misuse among their patients.

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