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Opioid prescribing exceeds consumption following common surgical oncology procedures
Author(s) -
Eyrich Nicholas W.,
Sloss Kenneth R.,
Howard Ryan A.,
Klueh Michael P.,
Englesbe Michael J.,
Waljee Jennifer F.,
Brummett Chad M.,
Sabel Michael S.,
Dossett Lesly A.,
Lee Jay S.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.26272
Subject(s) - medicine , oxycodone , opioid , lumpectomy , mastectomy , medical prescription , emergency medicine , anesthesia , surgery , breast cancer , cancer , pharmacology , receptor
Abstract Background and Objectives Surgical oncology patients are vulnerable to persistent opioid use. As such, we aim to compare opioid prescribing to opioid consumption for common surgical oncology procedures. Methods We prospectively identified patients undergoing common surgical oncology procedures at a single academic institution (August 2017–March 2018). Patients were contacted by telephone within 6 months of surgery and asked to report their opioid consumption and describe their discharge instructions and opioid handling practices. Results Of the 439 patients who were approached via telephone, 270 completed at least one survey portion. The median quantity of opioid prescribed was significantly larger than consumed following breast biopsy (5 vs. 2 tablets of 5 mg oxycodone, p < .001), lumpectomy (10 vs. 2 tablets of 5 mg oxycodone, p < .001), and mastectomy or wide local excision (20 tablets vs. 2 tablets of 5 mg oxycodone, p < .001). The majority of patients reported receiving education on taking opioids, but only 27% received instructions on proper disposal; 82% of prescriptions filled resulted in unused opioids, and only 11% of these patients safely disposed of them. Conclusions This study demonstrates that opioid prescribing exceeds consumption following common surgical oncology procedures, indicating the potential for reductions in prescribing.