Clinical Factors Associated With Practice Variation in Discharge Opioid Prescriptions After Pancreatectomy

Objective: To characterize opioid discharge prescriptions for pancreatectomy patients. Background: Wide variation in and over-prescription of opioids after surgery contribute to the United States opioid epidemic through persistent use past the postoperative period. Objective strategies guiding discharge opioid prescriptions for oncologic surgery are lacking, and factors driving prescription amount are not fully delineated. Methods: Characteristics of pancreatectomy patients (March 2016–August 2017) were retrospectively abstracted from a prospective database. Discharge opioids prescriptions were converted to oral morphine equivalents (OME). Regression models identified variables associated with discharge OME. Results: In 158 consecutive patients, median discharge OME was 250 mg (range 0–3950). Discharge OME was labeled “low” (400 mg) for 38 (24%). Only shorter operative time (odds ratio [OR]—0.14, P = 0.004) and inpatient team (OR—15.39, P
Source: Annals of Surgery - Category: Surgery Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research