Developing Opioid Prescription Guidelines After Anorectal Surgery: Do Patient-Reported Outcomes and Risk Factors Influence Consumption?

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Opioids prescribed to address postoperative pain drive opioid-related deaths in the United States. Prescribing guidelines have been developed for many general surgical procedures, which have decreased opioid prescription and consumption. The literature on opioids after anorectal surgery is lacking. OBJECTIVE:We analyzed our data on opioid prescription and consumption to create opioid-prescribing guidelines for anorectal procedures. DESIGN:We designed a prospectively collected postoperative survey given to consecutive patients undergoing anorectal surgery by colorectal surgeons.