Thoracic surgeons who treat lung cancer are helping reduce patients’ risk of opioid dependence, study shows

Thoracic surgeons who treat lung cancer are helping reduce patients' risk of opioid dependence, study shows

  • About 60% of patients (282) were discharged home without the need for oral opioids and remained opioid-free.
  • Only 11% of 275 patients (34) discharged without opioid prescriptions later needed one—a single fill of tramadol, a nonaddictive drug.
  • Seven of 157 patients (11%) who went home with handwritten prescriptions for opioids never filled them.

Source: Read Full Article