Managing opioid use in the acute surgical setting: A society of gynecologic oncology clinical practice statement

Abstract

Gynecologic oncologists have the unique opportunity of caring for patients in a broad range of surgical and medical settings. With increasing awareness of the opioid epidemic and the various factors that contribute to chronic opioid use, gynecologic oncologists must also better understand how to best address acute postoperative pain without unknowingly placing patients at risk for opioid misuse. This article examines the use of opioids in the acute surgical setting and provides clinical guidelines and various strategies to reduce opioid misuse.

Keywords: Gynecologic oncology surgery; Multimodal analgesia; Opioid misuse; Perioperative pain management; Postoperative opioid use; Postoperative pain management.