Patient Satisfaction with Pain Management Is Equal or Higher When Prescribed Nonopioids Versus Opioids After Obstetric and Gynecologic Surgery

Objective: We sought to characterize patient satisfaction with pain management among patients who received opioids for pain control versus those who received nonopioids following 3 common obstetric and gynecologic procedures: (1) laparoscopic removal of adnexal structures; (2) hysterectomy; (3) and cesarean section (C-section). Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study included a telephone questionnaire and chart reviews. It was conducted to assess opioid use following common obstetric and gynecologic surgical procedures. All study activities were performed at the University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT, USA, between July 2016 and February 2017. Patients ( N = 192) who underwent common obstetric and gynecologic surgeries close to the study dates were enrolled. Information gathered included quantity of opioids prescribed and utilized, patient satisfaction with pain control, and degree of pain control. Bivariate analyses were used to compare patients who did and did not use opioids. Results: Among the 192 patients, 36 had laparoscopic removal of adnexal structures, 69 had hysterectomies, and 87 had C-sections. Patients who had opioids postoperatively reported equal or higher satisfaction with pain control, compared to participants who had opioids. Conclusions: Levels of satisfaction with pain control are equal, if not higher, when comparing patients who receive nonopioid medications to patients who are prescribed opioids. This study offers a patient perspective in support of limiting the use of opioids to manage postoperative pain following obstetric and gynecologic surgery. (J GYNECOL SURG 20XX:000)