Half Avoid Opioids After Colorectal Surgery
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By
January 16, 2026
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3 min
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1
51% of patients had opioid-free analgesia post-colorectal surgery.
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Study involved 344 adults from two Canadian hospitals.
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3
Older age and fewer opioids at discharge were linked to opioid-free management.
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4
Median hospital stay was 3 days.
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5
Most patients received multimodal analgesia prescriptions.
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6
Limitations include self-reported data and observational design.
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Emphasis on educational strategies to reduce opioid prescriptions.
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8
Study funded by Canadian research institutes.
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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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