Sigurdsson MI, Helgadottir S, Long TE, et al. - Via a cohort study of 42,170 noncardiac surgical cases in 27,787 individuals in Iceland, researchers ascertained whether patients prescribed opioids and/or benzodiazepines within six months preoperatively would have greater short- and long-term mortality and elevated opioid consumption postoperatively. Opioid and benzodiazepine prescription fill in the 6 months prior to the surgery were correlated with elevated short-and long-term mortality and a progressed rate of persistent postoperative opioid intake. These patients should be recognized for early referral to a preoperative clinic and medication optimization to enhance surgical outcomes.