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Tracking Opioid Refills After Surgery

Researchers evaluated perioperative and postdischarge factors associated with opioid refill prescriptions during the first 90 days after inpatient otolaryngology–head and neck surgery.

  • By

  • Kathryn Wighton

  • February 6, 2026

  • 4 min

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  • 1

    Opioid refill rates within 90 days of discharge remained unchanged despite reduced discharge opioid prescribing from 2017 to 2023.

  • 2

    Both overprescribing and underprescribing at discharge were independently linked to a higher risk of opioid refills.

  • 3

    Mismatch between discharge opioid doses and inpatient use was associated with increased refill rates after surgery.

  • 4

    Preoperative opioid, benzodiazepine, and cannabis use were significant factors associated with postdischarge opioid refills.

  • 5

    Aligning discharge opioid prescriptions with inpatient consumption may effectively reduce postoperative opioid refills.

Original Source(s)

Tracking Opioid Refills After Surgery

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • February 6, 2026

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