Fewer opioids prescribed for one procedure can spread to others

Limiting the number of opioids prescribed for one procedure can affect the number of pills prescribed for other procedures, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

Researchers from Ann Arbor-based University of Michigan reviewed 1,158 patients' charts, 558 of whom had operations before the opioid recommendations were implemented and 600 of whom underwent procedures 10-plus months after.

The researchers implemented recommendations for opioids after minimally invasive gall bladder removal: for 15 tablets of hydrocodone/acetaminophen 5/325 mg or 10 tablets of oxycodone 5 mg and additionally encouraging the use of acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

The study shows after the implementation of the recommendations, average opioid prescriptions reduced for the following procedures:

• Sleeve gastrectomy: 35 percent
• Hernia repair: 43 percent
• Appendectomy: 50 percent or more
• Thyroidectomy/parathyroidectomy: 50 percent or more

The prescriptions were measured in oral morphine equivalents, with 100 OMEs equal to about 20 pills of hydrocodone/acetaminophen 5/325 mg.

Across the entire study population for the four procedures, the opioid prescription recommendations resulted in around 10,000 fewer pills entering the community.

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