Abstract

Objectives: To examine post-discharge pain management among general surgeons in Saudi Arabia and the United States and the process involved with dispensing opioids.

Methods: I participated as a general surgery resident and observed other general surgeons manage postdischarge pain in Saudi Arabia and the United States. I backed my observations using peer-reviewed data.

Results: There is a wide variation in post-discharge analgesia practices between surgeons in Saudi Arabia and the United States. General surgeons in Saudi Arabia routinely manage post-discharge pain with non-narcotic analgesics, while general surgeons in the United States routinely utilize narcotic analgesics. More stringent regulations for dispensing opioids are followed in Saudi Arabia compared to the United States.

Conclusion: General surgeons in the United States prescribe a higher number of opioids than in Saudi Arabia.More stringent regulations are followed in Saudi Arabia for dispensing opioid analgesics post-discharge.