Incidence and Patterns of Persistent Opioid Use in Children Following Appendectomy

Retrospective study of 1,789 Medicaid-enrolled children found 7.1% developed chronic opioid use following appendectomy, with 80% having no prior opioid exposure. Risk factors included rehospitalization beyond 30 days, multiple prescribers, and psychiatric medication use, suggesting appendectomy may serve as a priming event for persistent opioid use in vulnerable pediatric populations.