Table 2

Number of opioid-containing tablets prescribed at discharge for various surgical procedures

Surgical specialty; procedureNo. of respondentsNo. of tablets
Median (IQR)Range
Cardiac surgery
Coronary artery bypass grafting330 (30–50)30–50
Open valve replacement330 (30–50)30–50
General surgery
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy4320 (15–30)6–30
Laparoscopic appendectomy4420 (15,30)6–30
Lumpectomy + sentinel lymph node biopsy3820 (12–30)0–60
Mastectomy + sentinel lymph node biopsy3820 (20–30)10–90
Open inguinal hernia repair4320 (15–30)6–60
Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair3820 (15–30)4–30
Laparoscopic surgery (inpatient stay)4320 (10–30)0–90
Open laparotomy (inpatient stay)4430 (20–30)8–120
Neurosurgery
Microdiscectomy (herniated disc)1820 (15–20)10–40
2- to 3-level posterior cervical discectomy with fusion1830 (25–30)20–45
Multilevel disc fusion1830 (30–30)20–80
Minicraniotomy1820 (15–24)0–60
Craniotomy1820 (20–30)0–60
Microvascular decompression of cranial nerve VII1820 (20–30)10–60
Transphenoidal surgery1720 (15–25)0–40
Plastic surgery
Single-digit reimplantation1430 (25–30)20–50
Breast augmentation1520 (20–30)10–42
Breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi flap1630 (25–35)20–42
Dupuytren contracture release1624 (20–30)10–40
Carpal tunnel release1618 (10–20)0–28
Thoracic surgery
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery550 (20–60)20–60
Mediastinoscopy510 (0–10)0–20
Pleural aspiration and biopsy410 (0–25)0–30
Esophagectomy560 (30–60)30–100
Thoracotomy560 (60–60)30–100
Chest tube placement415 (5–30)0–40
Bronchoscopy50 (0–0)0–0
Urology
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (stone)915 (10–15)0–30
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (vasectomy)310 (0–15)0–15
Transurethral resection of bladder tumour125 (2–10)0–15
Laparoscopic nephrectomy1218 (10–25)10–30
Open prostatectomy1220 (17–25)10–30
Vascular surgery
Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair1018 (10–20)0–30
Open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair930 (30–30)20–30
Arteriovenous fistula creation1010 (10–10)0–20
Femoral/popliteal bypass1020 (20–30)15–30
Carotid endarterectomy1012 (10–20)0–20
Orthopedic surgery
Diagnostic knee arthroscopy430 (15–35)0–40
Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament repair460 (50–60)40–60
Total knee replacement680 (80–100)60–120
Total hip replacement680 (80–100)40–100
Shoulder arthroscopy – examination under anesthesia460 (30–60)0–60
Removal of elbow plates/screws – general anesthesia540 (40–60)30–60
Resection arthroplasty/arthrodesis (hammer toe deformity)360 (40–90)40–90
Open reduction internal fixation hand435 (15–50)0–60
  • IQR = interquartile range.