Michelle Yu

University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Michelle Yu is a urologic surgeon and researcher whose work centers on opioid stewardship in perioperative care, with a particular focus on reducing unnecessary narcotic prescribing after major urologic cancer surgeries. Her most influential study, "Discharge Opioids are Unnecessary Following Radical Cystectomy" (2022, 4 citations), challenges long-standing prescribing norms by demonstrating that many patients can safely manage post-discharge pain without opioids after this complex procedure. Yu further contributed to the field with "Large Variation in International Prescribing Rates of Opioids After Robotic Prostatectomy" (2021, 2 citations), which exposed dramatic disparities in prescribing practices across countries, highlighting the need for standardized, evidence-based guidelines. Through these works, Yu has helped shift the conversation toward opioid-minimizing protocols that maintain patient comfort while reducing the risk of addiction and diversion. Her research is particularly timely given the ongoing opioid crisis, and her findings have practical implications for surgeons worldwide seeking to balance effective pain management with responsible prescribing. Yu's work represents a critical step toward safer, more sustainable postoperative care in urologic oncology.