Opioids after minor surgery.
Prescribing opioids after minor to moderate surgery is a common practice in North America; however, in many other countries, opioids are rarely given after surgery. Some studies have shown that over-the-counter analgesics can provide patients with adequate pain relief without adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Should surgeons change their prescribing habits?
Opioids May Cause More Harm Than Good After Mild to Moderate Surgery, reports on the findings of a new meta-analysis which found that opioids did not reduce pain after patient discharge. There was no evidence that opioids provided superior pain relief compared to over-the-counter medications.
The analysis of 47 studies looked at minor and moderate outpatient procedures, including dental work and minimally invasive orthopedic procedures. While the authors admit that the study had some drawbacks, there are upcoming clinical trials to compare opioid and non-opioid pain control in several surgeries, which should shed more light on the topic.
Medical Mutual's practice tip Opioids: Avoiding Risks When Prescribing offers tips on safe opioid prescribing in your office practice.