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FRIDAY, April 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Almost 63 percent of patients did not use opioids after having an elective procedure, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Surgical Association, held from April 19 to 21 in Phoenix.<\/p>\n
Cornelius A. Thiels, D.O., from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and colleagues conducted a prospective survey of patients to investigate postoperative opioid use. In total, 2,550 patients undergoing 25 elective procedures were asked to complete a 29-question telephone interview survey 21 to 35 days after being discharged; 1,907 patients completed the survey.<\/p>\n
The researchers found that 92.2 percent of patients received discharge opioids. These were converted into oral morphine equivalents (OMEs). After discharge, a median of 44 OMEs were consumed. On average, 62.7 percent of prescribed opioids were unused. Thirty-one percent of patients used no opioids, and 52.3 percent required <50 OMEs. The refill rates varied from 1.7 to 71.4 percent for laparoscopic inguinal hernia and lumbar fusion, respectively. Most patients (90.2 percent) were satisfied with their post-discharge pain control. More than one-quarter (28.2 percent) reported being prescribed too many opioids, while 8.3 percent reported not being prescribed enough. Remaining opioids were disposed of by only 7.5 percent of patients.<\/p>\n
“This research provides a road map for physicians and surgical departments,” a coauthor said in a statement. “It shows there are certain surgeries and types of patients who are likely receiving significantly more opioids than needed.”<\/p>\n
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