Opioid prescribing patterns and usage after rhinologic surgery: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective: Judicious management of analgesics following rhinologic surgery is important for curtailing over-prescription of opioids. Limited data exists defining expected pain levels and appropriate opioid requirements after rhinologic surgery.

Methods: A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library databases were queried, and relevant articles were identified.

Results: A total of 405 articles were identified, of which 13 met final inclusion criteria. Significant heterogeneity existed regarding type and quantity of opioid medication prescribed. Eight studies utilized a subjective patient-reported pain score as an outcome measure and reported mild to moderate postoperative pain that diminished over the first 3-6 days. Eight studies reported over-prescription of opioid medications with inappropriate storage of excess pills at home. Several factors were associated with an increased opioid requirement, including concurrent septoplasty, younger age, and current smoking status.

Conclusion: Rhinologic surgery is well tolerated with mild to moderate, short-lived postoperative pain. A limited amount and duration of opioid medications is required for routine management. Patients are frequently prescribed more opioids than is necessary for expected pain level, resulting in the potential for opioid misuse, abuse, and diversion. Current evidence is limited by a predominance of level 4 studies. Larger, higher quality studies with standardized reporting of pain score and opioid prescription quantity are needed.

Keywords: Endoscopic sinus surgery; Evidence based medicine; Opioid; Postoperative pain; Rhinologic surgery.