Opioid prescriptions can be safely omitted after major surgery.

A prospective study assessed opioid prescription necessity post-major intra-abdominal surgery. Among 333 patients, only 17% of those in the intervention group received opioids within 30 days, compared to 46% in the control group (p <.001). While inpatient opioid usage was similar across both groups, the median morphine milligram equivalents prescribed at discharge was significantly higher in the control group. Importantly, thirty-day readmission rates remained comparable, suggesting opioid omission does not disrupt recovery.