Long-Term Opioid Use After Free Flap Breast Reconstruction: Incidence and Associated Factors

Background: Opioid dependence can occur in 6% to 10% of patients undergoing breast reconstruction. With the expansion of interdisciplinary initiatives to decrease opioid use after surgery, an updated look at the incidence of and risk factors for prolonged opioid dependence after free flap breast reconstruction is essential. Methods: We retrospectively identified all cases of free flap breast reconstruction completed at our institution from 2017 to 2020. Patients undergoing additional surgery within 120 days of the free flap procedure were excluded. Postoperative opioid prescriptions were identified; prolonged opioid use was defined as the receipt of additional prescriptions 91 to 120 days after surgery. Demographic and perioperative variables were assessed for their relationship with prolonged opioid use by logistic regressions. Results: A total of 732 patients were included in the final analysis; of these, 15 patients (2%) received additional opioid prescriptions 91 to 120 days after surgery (ie, had prolonged opioid use). Univariable associations were identified between prolonged opioid use and intraoperative morphine milliequivalents (OR = 2.3 per 50 units [95% CI, 1.5-3.5]; P < .001), opioid prescriptions 31 to 60 days after surgery (OR = 16.1 [95% CI, 4.0-65.0]; P < .001) and 61 to 90 days after surgery (OR = 89.4 [95% CI, 13.7-584.5]; P < .001), and history of substance use disorder (OR = 8.3 [95% CI, 2.2-31.6]; P = .002), anxiety (OR = 3.8 [95% CI, 1.2-12.1]; P = .023), or mood disorder (OR = 12.7 [95% CI, 1.3-121.3]; P = .027). Conclusion: In our cohort, 2% of patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction (15/732) had prolonged opioid use. The currently used perioperative opioid minimization initiatives may benefit patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction.