Table 2.
The utilization of opioid analgesics following four common outpatient upper extremity surgical procedures. (N=296,452)
| Opioid following surgical procedures† | Proportion of patients who filled a prescription for opioid analgesics | Proportion of each type of opioid filled | Average number of days supply | Proportion of patients who refilled prescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpal Tunnel Release | ||||
| Hydrocodone | 42% | 66% | 9.1 | 11% |
| Oxycodone | 12% | 17% | 11.5 | 6% |
| Tramadol | 2% | 6% | 19.3 | 13% |
| Codeine phosphate | 4% | 7% | 6.5 | 6% |
| Other | 2% | 3% | 27.9 | 10% |
| Total | 62% | 100% | 12.0 | 9% |
| Cubital Tunnel release | ||||
| Hydrocodone | 42% | 61% | 11.2 | 15% |
| Oxycodone | 23% | 27% | 11.2 | 7% |
| Tramadol | 1% | 5% | 19.9 | 9% |
| Codeine phosphate | 2% | 3% | 8.5 | 8% |
| Other | 3% | 5% | 27.3 | 10% |
| Total | 71% | 100% | 14.8 | 11% |
| CMC arthroplasty/arthrodesis | ||||
| Hydrocodone | 33% | 52% | 11.7 | 19% |
| Oxycodone | 34% | 34% | 9.5 | 7% |
| Tramadol | 1% | 6% | 21.6 | 18% |
| Codeine phosphate | 1% | 3% | 10.2 | 11% |
| Other | 5% | 6% | 15.3 | 9% |
| Total | 74% | 100% | 15.4 | 12% |
| Trigger Finger Release | ||||
| Hydrocodone | 36% | 67% | 7.7 | 8% |
| Oxycodone | 8% | 14% | 11 | 5% |
| Tramadol | 2% | 7% | 18.2 | 11% |
| Codeine phosphate | 4% | 9% | 5.9 | 4% |
| Other | 1% | 3% | 26.5 | 8% |
| Total | 51% | 100% | 10.1 | 7% |