5 2 S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E J U LY 2 0 1 6
How widespread is the misuse of opioids?
Studies have suggested that the problem may be plateau-
ing or potentially improving in the United States, but
other data suggest that it may actually be getting
worse. It depends on where you live. I believe that
anesthesiologists have only recently become aware
of the problem and are now helping to solve issues
that may arise from inappropriate opioid prescrib-
ing.
What factors have upped
opioid use among surgical patients?
There is an increased long-term use in patients who ini-
tiate opioid therapy shortly after undergoing low-risk
surgery. Whether this use is problematic or associated
with long-term consequences is debatable. The associa-
tion does show that the perioperative period has the
potential to contribute to the ongoing epidemic. We should
be aware of this phenomenon.
How prevalent is the use
of opioids following surgery?
In one study, opioid-naïve patients who received an
opioid within a week of surgery were 44% more likely to use opioids
over the long term than those who did not receive prescriptions.
nesthesia's Role in
Curbing the Opioid Epidemic
A
Asim Alam, MD, FRCPC, DRCPC
Anesthesiologist and opioid-use researcher
