A new study published in The Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques examines the preoperative narcotic use and how it affects the length of stay in the hospital and complications.
The researchers examined 583 patients who underwent spine surgery for structural lesions. The patients self-reported preoperative narcotic consumption and researchers examined length of stay upon discharge. Here are five key notes:
1. The preoperative narcotic use was associated with 30 day and 90 day complications.
2. Smoking status was associated with 30 day complications.
3. The increased narcotic use was significantly associated with the increased length of stay.
4. The patient's age, type of surgery and depression was associated with increased length of stay.
5. For every 100 morphine equivalents a patient takes preoperatively, their stay is extended 1.1 days.
"As reimbursement is bundled before surgery, providing interventions for patients with treatable causes for increased length of stay can save cost overall," concluded the study authors.
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