Half Avoid Opioids After Colorectal Surgery
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By
January 16, 2026
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3 min
A recent study found that 51% of patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery managed their post-discharge pain without opioid use. The prospective cohort study involved 344 adults and revealed that factors such as older age, fewer prescribed opioids at discharge, no post-discharge cannabis use, and higher patient activation were linked to opioid-free pain management. Conducted at two Canadian academic hospitals from March 2021 to September 2022, the study highlights the importance of patient education and prescriber stewardship in minimizing opioid use.
1. 51% of patients had opioid-free analgesia post-colorectal surgery. 2. Study involved 344 adults from two Canadian hospitals. 3. Older age and fewer opioids at discharge were linked to opioid-free management. 4. Median hospital stay was 3 days. 5. Most patients received multimodal analgesia prescriptions. 6. Limitations include self-reported data and observational design. 7. Emphasis on educational strategies to reduce opioid prescriptions. 8. Study funded by Canadian research institutes.
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