Postoperative Opioid-Prescribing Practices in Nasal Surgery: A Prospective Study.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pain Management
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Growing awareness of the opioid epidemic necessitates understanding postoperative opioid use.
• Limited data exists on opioid consumption following outpatient nasal surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize opioid prescription and consumption patterns after nasal surgery.
• To provide data for evidence-based guidelines on pain management and prescription practices.

Main Methods:

• Prospective single-center study involving 69 patients undergoing nasal surgery.
• Collection of morphine milligram equivalents (MME) prescribed and consumed, alongside pain scores.
• Analysis of MME use in relation to patient demographics, surgical type, and pain levels.

Main Results:

• Total prescribed MME: 3302; Used MME: 2012 (61%); Unused MME: 1290 (39%).
• Average prescribed MME per patient: 47.8 ± 24.0.
• Opioid use history, benzodiazepine use, and obesity were negative predictors of consumption (p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Opioid consumption data after nasal procedures can inform prescribing habits.
• Prescription amounts may be reduced for patients with a history of specific medication use.