Opioids Before Surgery Mean Higher Costs, More Problems More Likely Afterward

Research suggests that patients and physicians should be aware of opioid use before elective operations such as hysterectomy and bariatric surgery.

“We often pause when we are considering elective surgery with a patient, based on known risk factors such as smoking, anticoagulant use and overall medical conditions. These findings suggest that perhaps preoperative opioid use warrants the same awareness,” says Jennifer Waljee, M.D.

http://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/opioids-before-surgery-mean-higher-...