In a retrospective cohort study of more than 4,000 adult patients undergoing inpatient otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, discharge opioid daily dose mismatch, preoperative opioid and benzodiazepine use, higher postoperative pain scores, and prior refills were independently associated with opioid refills within 90 days of discharge. Despite substantial reductions in discharge opioid prescribing between 2017 and 2023, refill rates remained unchanged, highlighting the importance of aligning discharge dosing with inpatient opioid use.

Source: JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery