Half Avoid Opioids After Colorectal Surgery
Researchers examine postdischarge pain management after elective colorectal surgery, focusing on how prescribing practices align with actual opioid use at home.
By
Kathryn Wighton
January 16, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Half Avoid Opioids After Colorectal Surgery
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Postoperative pain management after elective colorectal surgery Key Mechanisms Older age, fewer opioid pills prescribed, no postdischarge cannabis use, higher patient activation Target Population Adults aged 18 years or older undergoing elective colorectal procedures Care Setting Postdischarge care following elective colorectal surgery
Key Highlights
51% of patients managed pain without opioids postdischarge Similar opioid-free rates across surgical methods: open (47%), laparoscopic (51%), stoma (52%) Median hospital stay was 3 days; most patients were opioid-naïve 92% received acetaminophen; 38% received NSAIDs; 92% prescribed opioids for breakthrough pain Each additional opioid pill prescribed decreased odds of opioid-free analgesia Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Assess pain management needs pre- and post-surgery Management
Utilize multimodal analgesia strategies to minimize opioid use Monitoring & Follow-up
Follow-up on analgesic consumption and patient activation postdischarge Risks
Potential for opioid-related harms if prescriptions are not carefully managed Patient & Prescribing Data
Adults undergoing elective colorectal surgery, predominantly opioid-naïve
Address modifiable predictors of opioid consumption through education and stewardship
Clinical Best Practices
Encourage patient activation and education regarding pain management options Limit opioid prescriptions based on individual patient needs Monitor for nonpharmacological therapy effectiveness References
