Introduction Opioids are often a mainstay of managing postsurgical pain. Persistent use of opioids for more than 90 days after surgery is problematic, and the incidence of this adverse outcome has been reported in the civilian population ranging from 0.4% to 7%. Veterans compose a special population exposed to trauma and stressful situations and consequently face increased risk for habit-forming behavior and drug overdose. This evaluation determined the prevalence of opioid persistence after surgery and its relationship to patient characteristics in a military veteran population. Methods A retrospective chart review was completed on 1,257 veterans who were opioid naive and had undergone a surgical procedure between January 2017 and May 2018. Patient characteristics, health conditions, and discharge opioid medications were recorded, and the incidence of persistent opioid use beyond 90 days was determined. Results The incidence of opioid persistence following major (3.3%) and minor (3.4%) procedures was similar. The incidence in patients younger than 45 years (3.3%), between 45 and 64 years (4.3%), and 65 years and older (2.2%) was also determined to be similar. Univariate patient factors associated with an increased risk for persistent opioid use include cancer (odds ratio [OR], 2.13; 95% CI, 1.11-4.09), mental health disorders (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.17-4.60), and substance use disorders (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.09-4.00). Conclusions Among a cohort of over 1,200 opioid-naïve veterans undergoing surgery at a VA Medical Center, just over 3% went on to develop persistent opioid use beyond 3 months following their procedure. Persistent use was not found to be related to the type of procedure (major or minor) or patient age. Significant patient-level risk factors for opioid persistence were cancer and a history of mental health and substance use disorders.

Rare coexistence of disease or pathology Background:Castleman disease was first described in 1956 as mediastinal masses composed of benign lymphoid hyperplasia with germinal center formation and capillary proliferation closely resembling thymomas. It has been linked with many multi-system disorders, including myasthenia gravis. Cases of Castleman disease with corresponding myasthenia gravis have higher rates of postoperative myasthenic crisis, which are reported as high as 37.5%. We encountered a case of Castleman disease with myasthenia gravis that was discovered early and managed successfully with complete surgical resection and no postoperative myasthenic crisis. Case Report:A 25-year-old woman with an uncomplicated history presented with shortness of breath, numbness in hands, tiring with chewing, and fatigue. Myasthenia gravis was diagnosed with serology test results, and a 7.5×7.0-cm mediastinal mass was discovered in addition to the incidental finding of a persistent left superior vena cava, closely abutting the mass. Biopsy showed lymphoid proliferation, regressed germinal centers surrounded by small lymphocytes, and vascular proliferation, consistent with unicentric Castleman disease, hyaline-vascular type. The patient was successfully treated for Castleman disease with myasthenia gravis, and no postoperative myasthenic crisis occurred. Conclusions:Castleman disease associated with myasthenia gravis can dramatically increase the risk of postoperative myasthenic crisis. Our literature review of all 16 cases of Castleman disease with myasthenia gravis since 1973 revealed that 18.75% of cases were associated with a postoperative myasthenic crisis. This association elicits the importance of prompt diagnosis of myasthenia gravis when evaluating mediastinal masses and the value of having neurology and anesthesiology staff aware of the increased risk of crisis.