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Thursday, September 6, 2018 – Many new patients who have had nose surgery consume significantly less opioid pain medications than ever before, according to a new study, evidence that doctors over-prescribe highly addictive drugs.
For the study, the researchers examined 173 cases of nose surgery (rhinoplasty) performed at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Of these, 168 opioids (such as OxyContin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) were prescribed, an average of 28 opioid tablets per patient.
Only two patients completed their opioid prescriptions and 11% did not complete their initial prescription, said the study's authors.
"When we looked at the number of patients who needed refills, we found that number almost negligible," said author, Dr. David Shaye, in a hospital press release. Shaye is a plastic surgeon and facial reconstructor at Mass Eye and Ear in Boston.
"This tells us that, as an area, we are probably prescribing rhinoplasty drugs," he added.
Dr. Linda Lee, co-author of the study, said: "After analyzing our data, we were pleasantly surprised by the lack of opioid patients really needed after rhinoplasty, which is particularly important given the current epidemic of opioids. Lee is also a plastic surgeon and reconstructive surgeon at the hospital.
"By understanding these data, we, as surgeons, have a duty to prescribe opioids responsibly and to limit the risks of abuse, particularly for cosmetic or elective surgeries," Lee said.
As a result of their discoveries, the study authors reduced by at least half the number of opioid tablets that they prescribe.
The study was published online Sept. 6 in JAMA's facial plastic surgery.
The United States is facing an epidemic of opioids, the study authors noted in the press release, with less than 5% of the world's population using two-thirds of opioid analgesics in the world .
In the United States, opioid-related deaths have increased 200% since 2000. Studies have shown that nearly 60% of households in the country have unused prescription opioids.
More information
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have more prescription opioids.
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