PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Zoltan H Nemeth AU - Dorian A Bogdanovski AU - Samantha R Paglinco AU - Patricia Barratt-Stopper AU - Rolando H Rolandelli TI - Cost and efficacy examination of alvimopan for the prevention of postoperative ileus AID - 10.1136/jim-2017-000449 DP - 2017 Jun 01 TA - Journal of Investigative Medicine PG - 949--952 VI - 65 IP - 5 4099 - http://hw-f5-jim.highwire.org/content/65/5/949.short 4100 - http://hw-f5-jim.highwire.org/content/65/5/949.full SO - J Investig Med2017 Jun 01; 65 AB - Opioid analgesics exacerbate ileus through peripheral μ-opioid receptor action. Alvimopan, a μ-opioid receptor antagonist, has been proposed to alleviate postoperative ileus, leading to decreased time to return of gastrointestinal function and hospital discharge. As opioid-induced motility issues are only one factor affecting postoperative ileus, continued examination of the cost of the use and efficacy of the drug is needed. Data for this study were collected retrospectively from the charts of 55 patients who received an anastomosis and were given alvimopan at Morristown Medical Center between 2010 and 2013 as well as from 58 appropriately matched controls. The billing record and chart for each patient was examined, and information on total hospital charges, age, sex, body mas index, primary diagnosis, procedure type, length of stay (days), time to return of bowel function (hours), and outcomes were recorded for analysis. No difference between patients given alvimopan and controls was observed for the length of hospital stay (4.6 vs 4.8 days) or for time to return of bowel function (68.5 vs 67.3 hours). Total hospital charges were higher for treated patients (p=0.0080), averaging $48 705.15 and $41 068.80, respectively. Alvimopan was not associated with improved clinical outcome but was associated with an increase in hospital charges within this population.