Opioid Prescription After Surgical Treatment for Benign Gynecologic Conditions: Averting Subsequent Misuse

Two studies highlight risk factors for persistent opioid use and suggest best practices for postoperative pain management.

The possibility that perioperative opioid prescriptions can result in persistent use or opioid use disorder (OUD) is well recognized. Two U.S. studies describe patterns of opioid prescription and risk for continuing use and OUD following surgery for benign gynecologic conditions.

The first group used a national database of commercially insured individuals to identify opioid-naive women receiving surgical or medical management for ectopic pregnancy (EP) between 2008 and 2015. Among >15,000 such women, 7047 (46%) filled an opioid prescription between 1 week before and 1 week after diagnosis; of these, 287 (4%) developed persistent opioid use (a prescription filled 8–90 days after treatment). The most marked risk factors for persistent use were…

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Opioid Prescription After Surgical Treatment for Benign Gynecologic Conditions: Averting Subsequent Misuse

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Reviewing Author