Opioid prescribing at surgical discharge does not reduce pain intensity but does increase adverse events

Opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after surgical discharge: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials

Findings from this meta-analysis support that opioid prescribing at surgical discharge does not reduce pain intensity but does increase adverse events. Evidence relied on trials focused on elective surgeries of minor and moderate extent, suggesting that clinicians can consider prescribing opioid-free analgesia in these surgical settings. Data were largely derived from low-quality trials, and none involved patients having major or major-complex procedures. Given these limitations, there is a great need to advance the quality and scope of research in this field.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)00582-7/fulltext

Editorial Comment:  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673622007772

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