Philadelphia-based University of Pennsylvania researchers found 80 percent of patients who underwent a low-risk surgical procedure filled an opioid prescription within seven days, according to Forbes.
Researchers analyzed 155,297 insurance claims between 2004 and 2012 for adults undergoing outpatient surgeries such as carpal tunnel release, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, inguinal hernia repair and knee arthroscopy.
Here are four insights:
1. Almost 87 percent of the prescriptions patients received were for hydrocodone or oxycodone.
2. Researchers were surprised by the prescribing practices for low-risk procedures.
3. In 2014, there were 18,893 U.S. deaths which involved opioids, a 16 percent increased from 2013.
4. Researchers encourage providers to reevaluate their prescribing patterns for opioids.
More articles on spine:
MIS vs. open posterior lumbar spinal fusion: 5 things to know
Molecule may play key role in healing spinal cord injuries: 5 observation
4 things to know about Orange Park Medical Center's new neurosurgeon