An Evidence-Based Guideline Supporting Restricted Opioid Prescription after Pediatric Appendectomy
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Read the article on jpedsurg.org ↗Article · Nov 2019 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
Study of 73 pediatric patients after laparoscopic appendectomy found 83% did not use or desire opioids postoperatively, supporting restricted opioid prescribing guidelines. Evidence demonstrates most children achieve adequate pain control with non-opioid analgesics, addressing surgeon overprescription as a modifiable factor in the opioid epidemic.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Background/Purpose
Surgeon overprescription of opioids is a modifiable contributor to the opioid epidemic. No clear guidelines exist for prescribing opioids to younger patients after surgery. We sought to determine postoperative opioid needs in pediatric/young adult patients after laparoscopic appendectomy.
Methods
Patients 5–20 years old who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy were included for study. All consented patients underwent chart review and were additionally called for an attempted interview. Caregivers were queried on analgesic use and adequacy of pain relief. The main outcome measures were: quantity of opioid used, desire for an opioid, presence of pain ≥4/10, and need for follow-up/call owing to pain. All opioids were converted into morphine milligram equivalents (MME).
Results
Seventy-three patients qualified for the study, 49 of whom completed a postoperative telephone interview. Of the interviewees, 83% did not use or desire an opioid and reported pain