Pain Management and Opioid Consumption After Outpatient Cosmetic Surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Opioid overprescription after surgery results in a surplus of tablets that become available for diversion and abuse. This study aims to describe opioid consumption after common elective outpatient cosmetic surgeries to provide a reference for surgeons and deter preemptive overprescription. Secondary endpoints were risk factors for increased opioid use after cosmetic surgery and the influence of helium plasma technology (Renuvion; Apyx Medical Corporation, Clearwater, Florida) on postoperative opioid consumption. Materials and Methods: Patients completed a preoperative survey on the day of surgery and a postoperative survey 14 to 21 days after surgery. Data regarding procedure type, demographics, quantity of prescribed opioids, pain experience, amount of opioids consumed, and supplementation with over-the-counter pain medications or alternative therapies were collected. Results: Two hundred sixty-six patients were included. On average, 28 opioid pills were prescribed, and 13.8 pills were consumed across all cosmetic surgery types. Procedure type, body mass index, ethnicity, prior surgical history, and the incorporation of helium plasma technology did not influence opioid consumptions postoperatively. Patients with a surgical complication had a statistically significant higher opioid use than those without a surgical complication ( P = .0397). Conclusions: Patients in our study required on average about half of the opioids prescribed during the immediate postoperative period. Means of opioids consumed per cosmetic surgery category are described and can serve as a reference for cosmetic surgeons.