People Taking Opioids Before Surgery Have Post-Surgical Costs 3 Times Higher Than Those Who Don’t

Surgical costs were about three times higher for people who took prescription opioids before elective abdominal surgery with an inpatient stay than costs for non-opioid users who had the same type of surgery and an inpatient basis. Compared to non-opioid users, those who took opioids were more likely to have a longer hospital stay, and they were more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation facility. Those who took opioids also had a higher 30-day readmission rate.

Post-Surgical Outcomes Comparison For Pre-Operative Opioid Use (Consumers Were Matched For Surgery Type, But Not For Other Comorbid . . .