The Journal of urology
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The Journal of urology · Nov 2019
Multicenter StudyNational Variation in Opioid Prescription Fills and Long-Term Use in Opioid Naïve Patients after Urological Surgery.
Prescription opioid use is increasing, leading to increased addiction and mortality. Postoperative care is often the first exposure to opioids of a patient but little data exist on national prescription patterns in urology. We examined post-discharge opioid fills after urological procedures and the association with long-term use. ⋯ National variation in opioid prescribing practice exists after urological operations. Patients who fill larger amounts of opioids after certain major and minor urological procedures are at increased risk for long-term opioid use. This provides evidence for procedure specific prescribing guidelines to minimize risk and promote standardization.