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
...anagemen...
...ction StatementsÂ...
...cted PainPrior to surgery, clinicians...
...ifying FactorsPrior to surgery, clinicians...
...s for Opioid Use Disorder Prior to surger...
...Patients at Risk for OUDIn patients at risk f...
...ision MakingClinicians should promote shared...
...odal TherapyClinicians should develop a multimodal...
...nalgesiaClinicians should advocate for nonopi...
...ibingWhen treating postoperative pa...
...nt FeedbackClinicians should instru...
...topping Pain MedicationsClinicians should ed...
...orage and Disposal of OpioidsClinicians shoul...
...nt of Pain Control with OpioidsClinicians shou...
...tion of Analgesia Use and Severity of Pai...
...sk Factors for OUDHaving trouble v...
...and Benefits of Analgesic Medication...
.... Distribution in Opioid Consumption Afte...
...1. Source of Misused Prescription Pain Medicat...
...e 2. Secure Storage and Disposal of Opi...
...igure 3. Patient Education Materials...
...e 4. Opioids Guideline Key Action S...
Patient Information
...atient Information...
...ion Frequently Asked Questions About Opi...
...ble 6. Abbreviated List of Medicines Recommended f...
...quently Asked Questions Comparing Nonopio...