Decreasing postoperative opioid use while managing pain: A prospective study of men who underwent scrotal surgery

To compare postoperative pain control among men who received different quantities of narcotic prescriptions following scrotal surgery. We hypothesized that men receiving eight vs four pills of acetaminophen 300 mg/codeine 30 mg there would be no significant difference in mean pain following scrotal and inguinal surgery.

In this prospective, open-label study, men who underwent scrotal surgery received eight or four acetaminophen 300 mg/codeine 30 mg pills. Men were encouraged to take scheduled non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), apply ice on the incision, and take acetaminophen 300 mg/codeine 30 mg as needed for breakthrough pain. Men were evaluated within 1-2 weeks after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and Stata/IC 15.1.

A total of eighty-seven men met inclusion criteria, fifty-four men received eight acetaminophen/codeine pills, and thirty-three men received four pills. There was no significant difference in mean pain score (0-10) of men receiving eight pills vs four pills in the week after surgery (3.6 ± 1.9 vs 3.3 ± 1.8, P = .5004). Of men who used NSAIDs and ice, 93.5% and 92.3% found them to be moderately or very helpful.

Reducing the total prescription of combined narcotic/non-narcotic medication is not associated with increased postoperative pain in patients undergoing scrotal/inguinal surgery. There was no difference in postoperative pain in men taking eight or four acetaminophen 300 mg/codeine 30 mg pills. A limited prescription of eight or four pills was adequate for pain control in the majority of men who underwent scrotal surgery. NSAIDs and ice were found to be useful adjuncts for pain relief by those who used them.