Nearly 25% of opioid-related deaths are from prescribed opioids, and the exacerbation of the opioid epidemic by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic underscores the urgent need to address superfluous prescribing. Therefore, we sought to align local opioid prescribing practices with national guidelines in postoperative non-metastatic breast cancer patients.
A single-institution analysis included non-metastatic breast surgery patients treated between April 2020 and July 2021. ‘Overprescription’ was defined as a discharge prescription quantity of oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) greater than the upper limit of the procedure-specific Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (OPEN) recommendations. Univariable and multivariate analyses identified risk factors associated with opioid prescribing.
Overall, 464 patients met the inclusion criteria: 280 patients underwent lumpectomy, and 184 patients underwent mastectomy. 52% of patients were overprescribed opioids, including 74% of lumpectomy patients (p < 0.001) and 90% of patients undergoing lumpectomy with axillary surgery (p < 0.001). Mastectomy patients were overprescribed less frequently (< 25%). The quantity of opioids prescribed at discharge did not correlate to inpatient opioid requirements (r = 0.024, p = 0.604). Increased age, tobacco use, and long surgery duration were associated with higher quantities of opioids prescribed at discharge.
Patients undergoing less aggressive breast surgery are at very high risk of overprescription, and real-life prescribing patterns do not correlate to national guidelines or inpatient need. Future work will optimize adherence to procedure-specific guidelines and implement tailored discharge protocols.
© 2025. The Author(s).
