Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jan 2025
Postoperative pain management in patients with preexisting opioid dependence-A scoping review protocol.
Opioid-dependent patients with chronic pain conditions present a significant challenge for anesthesiologists when managing acute postsurgical pain. Opioid-dependent patients can experience tolerance, physical dependence, and hyperalgesia. These patients have an increased risk of poorly managed acute postoperative pain, which can ultimately lead to suffering and potentially an overall increase in length of hospitalization and healthcare cost. However, this is an under-researched field. This scoping review aims to investigate effective strategies in managing postoperative pain in patients with preexisting opioid dependence. ⋯ The planned scoping review will map out the current evidence about effective strategies to manage postoperative pain in patients with preexisting opioid dependence. We will aim to identify research gaps that can be used as support in the development of further research.