Enhanced recovery protocol after cesarean delivery: impact on opioid use and pain perception

Opioid Use Following Cesarean Delivery: A Pilot Study on Patterns of Use, Storage, and Disposal

Objective The aim of this study was to describe various aspects related to opioid use and storage in the setting of at-home pain management after cesarean deliveries among an Appalachian population. Methods Women who underwent cesarean delivery (January-June 2019) at an Appalachian institution were prospectively enrolled and administered a telephone survey seven (± 3) days post-discharge. Results Of the 87 women enrolled, 40 (46%) completed the survey; 92.5% were prescribed an opioid medication, most commonly oxycodone/acetaminophen 5/325 mg. A Kruskal-Wallis H test revealed a significant association between the severity of pain that interfered with normal daily activities and the number of pills consumed [χ2(2)=6.75, p=0.034]. More than 70% of the participants (28/40) had not safely stored or disposed of their unused opioid medications. Conclusion Our findings highlight the need for interventions to educate patients on how to appropriately use, store, and dispose of unused opioids.