Many patients receive their first opioid prescription from a surgeon. While surgery is a large concern for most patients, receiving an opioid prescription may seem more incidental. Yet 1 of every 17 patients who uses an opioid after otolaryngologic surgery continues to require opioids long after postoperative care has been completed. Overall, 1 of every 25 adults in the US regularly uses prescription opioid medications. For years, opioids have been assumed to be the de facto choice for pain management after surgery, but evidence is accumulating that nonopioid medications are highly effective for postoperative pain and may offer substantial advantages compared with opioids in improved safety. Despite this growing awareness, in a 2018 survey of American Rhinological Society members, 94% of respondents reported prescribing opioids after end oscopic sinus surgery, with an average of 27 opioid tablets prescribed. If prescribing opioids means opening a Pandora's box without additional efficacy, then what should be their legitimate role after surgery?
No comments:
Post a Comment