Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract
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J. Gastrointest. Surg. · Jun 2019
ReviewMorpheus and the Underworld-Interventions to Reduce the Risks of Opioid Use After Surgery: ORADEs, Dependence, Cancer Progression, and Anastomotic Leakage.
Perioperative pain management is a key element of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs. A multimodal approach to analgesia as part of a coordinated ERAS includes the reduction of opioid use. This review aims to discuss opioid-related adverse events, strategies to reduce opioid use after surgery, and the relevance to the present "opioid crisis" in North America. ⋯ There are substantial benefits in incorporating opioid reduction strategies into ERAS and clinical practice guidelines. These include faster return of function and mobility, and decreased opioid-related adverse drug events (ORADEs), postoperative morbidity and mortality, and length of hospital stay. Improved oncological outcomes after cancer surgery may be an additional benefit. Evidence-based interventions can also reduce opioid abuse and diversion in the community.