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.