Addressing the Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic has been a growing public health threat in the United States and Canada for the past 30 years, with alarming and steadily increasing opioid-related mortality rates. Originating with well-intentioned efforts by physicians to relieve pain and suffering in their patients, the source of the opioid epidemic and much of its ammunition continues to be the sales of legally produced pharmaceutical opioids. Although surgeons are increasingly recognizing the important role they can play in mitigating this crisis, the recognition and evaluation of the opioid epidemic in plastic surgery has been lacking. The authors identified several aspects of plastic surgery that make judicious prescription of opioids in this field uniquely complex, including high variability of cases managed, large volume of ambulatory procedures, and frequent involvement in collaborative care with other surgical specialties. Additional research in plastic surgery is needed to both increase current knowledge of opioid prescribing practices and provide evidence for recommendations that can successfully combat the opioid epidemic.