University of Michigan researchers found that while most surgical patients use similar amounts of opioids in the first week after surgery, those already on high-dose opioids are far more likely to seek refills within 90 days. Analyzing more than 72,000 patients, the study highlights a key gap in managing the roughly 1 in 5 patients who use opioids long-term before surgery, pointing to a need for more tailored prescribing to improve safety and outcomes.
