Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Legitimate opioid prescriptions can increase the risk of misuse, addiction, and overdose of opioids in children and adolescents. This study aimed to describe the prescribing patterns of discharge opioid analgesics following inpatient visits and to determine patient and prescriber characteristics that are associated with prolonged opioid prescription. ⋯ Most discharge opioids for children were prescribed for less than five days, consistent with current guidelines for adults. Nevertheless, the dosage and duration of opioids prescribed at discharge varied widely.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Preoperative analgesic instruction and prescription reduces early home pain after outpatient surgery: a randomized controlled trial.
Home pain remains the most common complication in outpatient surgery. Optimal management requires good information and early availability of analgesics. The main objective of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of pre- vs postoperative analgesic instruction and prescription on postoperative home pain. ⋯ Preoperative analgesic instruction and prescription during anesthesia consultation reduces the incidence of early postoperative home pain in outpatient surgery.
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Observational Study
A prospective observational study of persistent opioid use after complex foot and ankle surgery.
The incidence of persistent postsurgical opioid use (PPOU) after complex foot and ankle surgery is unknown. We aimed to determine the incidence and characteristics of PPOU in opioid-naïve, occasional, and regular opioid users at baseline and at six weeks, three months, and six months postoperatively. ⋯ The probability of using opioid analgesia six months after complex foot and ankle surgery was significantly higher in patients who used opioids preoperatively. Regular preoperative opioid use was associated with a greater risk of PPOU compared with occasional or "as required" opioid use prior to surgery.
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Although guidelines can reduce postoperative opioid prescription, the problem of unused opioids persists. We assessed the pattern of opioid prescription and utilization after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We hypothesized that opioid prescription patterns can influence opioid utilization. ⋯ This study showed that larger prescriptions are associated with higher opioid consumption. A wide variation in opioid consumption requires approaches to minimize the initial opioid prescription and to provide additional prescriptions for patients that require higher levels of analgesia.