Patient-Directed Postoperative Opioid Prescribing for Gynecologic Surgery

There is an emphasis in patient centered care in medicine and part of this effort has evaluated the success of shared decision making in the care of the patient. Currently, there is strong research and clinical emphasis trying to determine how, as surgeons, we can assist in minimizing the misuse of opioid medications. Several studies have shown significant over-prescribing and under-utilizing of the pain medications that are prescribed to patients after surgery. One such study by As-Sanie et al showed that about half of medications were utilized for pain after surgery, with typically 200 oral morphine equivalents prescribed.

A recent prospective cohort study by Prabhu et al showed that shared decision making in the prescription of narcotic pain medications after cesarean section decreased opioid use without impacting patient satisfaction.

We propose a randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of shared decision making in the prescribing of pain medications after minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. For adult female patients who are undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy, we will randomize them to either standard care or patient directed treatment. Our standard arm will receive 150 oral morphine equivalents, or 30 tablets of oxycodone, whereas our patient directed arm will receive a prescription with as many pills is determined after discussion with the patient.

We hope to contribute to identifying the optimized opioid prescription for post surgical patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Female patients >18 years old
• Ability to provide informed consent
• Planned minimally invasive hysterectomy with the Department of Gynecology o Concomitant minimally invasive surgeries performed by Gynecology will be allowed

Exclusion criteria

• Non-English speaking
• Combined surgical cases with other surgical departments
• Planned laparotomy
• Surgery planned to last >4 hours
• Postoperative hospitalization planned for >7 days
• Planned use of oral opioids other than oxycodone postoperatively
• Pre-existing chronic pain conditions including: chronic pelvic pain, migraines, temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome, fibromyalgia, and interstitial cystitis
• Preoperative diagnosis of pelvic pain
• Chronic preoperative opioid use
• History of or current diagnosis of narcotic or alcohol dependence

o Screening question asked at preoperative appointment: Have you or are you currently dependent on narcotic medications or alcohol?

• Desire for more opioids than standard therapy
• Postoperative decision of surgeon to prescribed more than standard therapy
• Allergy or contraindication to taking opioids, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen