Opioid Prescribing for Analgesia After Common Otolaryngology Operations
Key Points
Key Points
- Prescribing opioids has come under scrutiny due to the nationwide epidemic of opioid dependence and overdose-related deaths.
- Data on opioids misuse includes:
- Chronic pain patients
- Misuse: 21% – 29%
- Addiction: 8% – 12%
- 10% chronic misuse after short-stay surgery
- 40% of misuse is from diverted opioids
- Chronic pain patients
- Otolaryngologists are over-represented in prescribing opioids to Medicare patients, accounting for 10% of all surgeons’ prescriptions.
- This summary applies to patients of any age who require treatment for anticipated or reported pain within 30 days after undergoing common otolaryngologic procedures.
| For the Purpose of this Guideline, the Authors Adopted the Following Definitions: | |
|---|---|
| Pain | An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage and is categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. |
| Postoperative period | The period of patient recovery up to 30 days after a surgical procedure. |
| Opioids | A class of medications that interact with opioid receptors, have addictive potential, and are used to treat moderate-to-severe pain. They are legally available for health care providers to prescribe as synthetic opioids such as fentanyl or prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and others. |
| Analgesia | The absence or reduction of pain in response to stimulation that would normally be painful. |
| Opioid use disorder (OUD) | When individuals are unable to cease or appropriately reduce opioids and their opioid use negatively impacts work, school, or social responsibilities. |
| Opioid diversion | The transfer of prescription pain medications from the intended person to another person. |
Management
...anagement
Key Action Statements
...PainPrior to surgery, clinicians should...
...odifying FactorsPrior to surgery, c...
...rs for Opioid Use Disorder Prior to surgery, cli...
...Patients at Risk for OUDIn patients at ris...
...on MakingClinicians should promote shared decision...
...l TherapyClinicians should develop a multimodal t...
...AnalgesiaClinicians should advocate fo...
...d PrescribingWhen treating postoper...
...Patient FeedbackClinicians should instru...
...opping Pain MedicationsClinicians should educa...
...and Disposal of OpioidsClinicians...
...of Pain Control with OpioidsClinicians should inqu...
...e 2. Duration of Analgesia Use and...
...sk Factors for OUDHaving trouble viewing table? Ex...
...4. Risks and Benefits of Analgesic Medicat...
...Distribution in Opioid Consumption After C...
.... Source of Misused Prescription Pain Med...
...ecure Storage and Disposal of Opioids...
...ient Education Materials on Postoperative P...
...4. Opioids Guideline Key Action Statements...
Patient Information
...t Information
...nformation Frequently Asked Questions...
...ble 6. Abbreviated List of Medicines Recomme...
...Frequently Asked Questions Comparing Nonopioid and...