Study of Ketorolac Versus Opioid for Pain After Endoscopy

Pain is the leading cause for unplanned emergency department visits and readmissions after ureteroscopy (URS), making post-operative analgesic stewardship a priority given the current opioid epidemic. The investigators conducted a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT), with non-inferiority design, comparing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to opiates for postoperative pain control in patients undergoing URS for urolithiasis. Patients were randomized and blinded to either oxycodone (5mg) or ketorolac (10mg), taken as needed, with 3 non-blinded oxycodone rescue pills for breakthrough pain. Primary study outcome was visual analog scale pain score on post-operative days 1-5. Secondary outcomes included medication utilization, side effects, and Ureteral Stent Symptoms Questionnaire (USSQ) scores.