Evaluation of opioid prescription patterns among patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Issue 3 (23rd November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McCrary, Hilary C.; Newberry, Christopher I.; Casazza, Geoffrey C.; Cannon, Richard B.; Ramirez, Alexander L.; Meier, Jeremy D.
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 43:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 903
• Page End: 908
• Publication Date: 2020-11-23
• Subjects: endocrine surgery -- hemithyroidectomy -- opioids -- pain medications -- thyroidectomy; Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.26551
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

Abstract: Background: There is variability in opioid prescription patterns among surgeons performing thyroidectomy. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate opioid prescription rates and opioid use among hemithyroidectomy (HT) and total thyroidectomy (TT) patients. Design/Method: An electronic postoperative survey was distributed to assess opiate use among patients undergoing HT/TT. Groups were compared using t‐ tests, chi‐square tests, and analysis of variance. Results: A total of 142 opiate naïve patients were included, of which 75 (52.8%) underwent HT and 67 (47.1%) underwent TT. The mean number of tablets prescribed was 21.3 (HT = 22.1, TT = 20.4; P = 0.3), with a mean of 14.1 tablets unused after surgery (HT = 13.2 tablets, TT = 15.0 tablets; P = 0.44). The mean morphine milligram equivalent (MME) prescribed was 150.1 mg (HT = 159.0 mg, TT = 140.2 mg; P = 0.3), with a mean of 98.2 MME unused after surgery (HT = 93.7 mg, TT = 103.2 mg; P = 0.6). Conclusions: Opioids are overprescribed after thyroid surgery. Avoidance of overprescribing is vital in mitigating the current opioid crisis.