Perioperative Care of the Opioid-Tolerant Patient

Surgical patients who chronically use opioidsOpioids pose unique challenges for anesthesiaAnesthesia and perioperative pain managementPerioperative pain management. This chapter provides recommendations for optimal perioperativePerioperative pain care in the opioidOpioids-tolerant patient, including attention to special cases such as patients taking buprenorphineBuprenorphine for opioid use disorderOpioid use disorder or receiving intrathecal opioidsOpioids for pain managementPain management. Clinicians can maximize safety and efficacy using a combination of non-opioid medications, regional blocks, and nonpharmacologic strategies. Treatment should be tailored to the specific needs of each patient.