Perlmutter B, Wynia E, McMichael J, et al. - Researchers investigated the influence of varying levels of preoperative opioids on postoperative results after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. They analyzed patients who had elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy from 2012 to 2019 and were divided based on the number of outpatient opioid prescriptions received in the 90 days preceding surgery: none (Naïve), one (1 Rx), two (2 Rx), or three or more (Chronic). Preoperative use of opioids in 2958 (24.8%) of 11,911 patients was found. Among patients with an overnight admission, a shorter length of stay was observed in the Naïve, 1 Rx, and 2 Rx cohorts vs the Chronic cohort. The lowest 30-day readmission rate (5.0%) was evident in the Naïve group, followed by the 1 Rx (5.9%), 2 Rx and Chronic groups (9.1% and 8.7%, respectively). Findings showed a high prevalence of preoperative opioid use and surgeon evaluation is warranted in order to minimize adverse postoperative results.