Opioid Prescription Patterns for Children Following Laparoscopic Appendectomy

Study of 6,732 pediatric appendectomy patients reveals significant variation in opioid prescribing (1-65 days, median 4 days), with general surgery services prescribing 1.23 excess days versus pediatric surgery. Longer opioid prescriptions increased constipation-related ED visits but did not reduce pain-related visits or refill needs, suggesting opportunity for reduced prescribing.