Acute pain management for opioid tolerant patients

Download – Acute pain management for opioid tolerant patients (Update 2011)

Diagnosis and management of acute pain in opioid tolerant patients is challenging and is often poorly managed in the hospital setting. The evidence base for this group of patients is limited and guidelines are largely based on evidence from case studies, case reports and expert consensus. This article is a review of the current recommendations relating to this group of patients and outlines the approach to management of acute pain in the opioid tolerant patient by anaesthetists in the hospital setting.

Simon Marshall and Mark Jackson