Opioid Prescribing Patterns After Anorectal Surgery

Abstract Background Anorectal procedures are frequently performed and have the potential to be particularly painful. There are no evidence-based guidelines regarding opioid prescribing after anorectal surgery and limited data on how surgeons determine opioid prescriptions after anorectal procedures. We hypothesize significant variations in prescribing practices. The aim of this study is to determine current opioid prescribing patterns after anorectal surgery. Methods A survey was sent to members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. It included demographics, opioid prescribing habits after anorectal procedures, and factors influencing prescribing. Median morphine equivalents were calculated. Respondents prescribing higher than the median for >4 procedures were considered high prescribers. Results 519 surveys were completed (3160 sent). 38.6% of respondents were high prescribers, and 61.4% were low prescribers. There were significant differences by years in practice (P = 0.049), hospital type (P = 0.037), region (P  10 y, report >25% of patients request refills, or significantly consider patient satisfaction or phone calls when prescribing. Conclusions Opioid prescribing patterns are highly variable after anorectal procedures. Creating opioid prescribing guidelines for anorectal surgery is important to improve patient safety and quality of care.