Reducing opioid refills postsurgery

Investigators may have uncovered the factors contributing to opioid refill prescriptions following otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.

In a study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, the investigators sought to identify the independent pre- and postoperative factors leading to opioid refills within 90 days of discharge among more than 4,000 adult patients who underwent otolaryngology-head and neck surgery between 2017 and 2023.

Both under- and overprescription of opioid daily doses at discharge were found to increase the risk of refills within the first 30 days, whereas overprescription was linked to a greater rate of opioid refills up to 60 days. Further, the patients who used opioids, benzodiazepines and cannabis prior to surgery; those with higher levels of postsurgical pain; those previously receiving opioid refills; and those who received opioid prescriptions without using opioids during the last day of hospitalization were more likely to refill their opioid prescriptions.

The investigators emphasized the critical need for comprehensive perioperative strategies designed to minimize opioid refill prescriptions in this patient population.

Read more: JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

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