Use and Misuse of Opioids After Gynecologic Surgical Procedures

(Abstracted from Obstet Gynecol 2019;134(2):250–260) The majority of opioid use disorders originate legally through prescriptions to the individual or through diverted medications; however, for various reasons, use often switches to use of cheaper illicit substances such as heroin. Recent literature has shown that 22% of opioids prescribed to opioid-naive patients are due to surgical procedures, with 1 study finding that of 36,000 patients who underwent surgery, 6% of patients prescribed a perioperative opioid developed persistent use more than 90 days postoperatively.
Source: Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey - Category: OBGYN Tags: GYNECOLOGY: GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY Source Type: research