Findings from a recent study shed light on pain medication use following rhinoplasty, with results indicating patients often fail to take all the combination hydrocodone-acetaminophen tablets prescribed.
The case series included 62 patients who underwent rhinoplasty at two sites in the United States between February and September of 2016. The researchers aimed to investigate prescription patterns for opioids and other pain medications in the postoperative setting and establish a regimen for managing pain in these patients. Outcome measures included opioid use, pain control and adverse events. Factors that underwent investigation included rhinoplasty vs. septoplasty, open vs. closed techniques, primary vs. revision procedures, and use of turbinates and osteotomies. Self-reported use of 5-mg hydrocodone bitartrate and 325-mg acetaminophen also were evaluated.
