Anesthesiology
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Previous evidence suggests that opioid-tolerant patients are less responsive to local anesthetics (LAs) for postoperative pain management. ⋯ These preclinical data suggest that the morphine-induced decrease in LA potency is due, at least in part, to the intrinsic changes in the peripheral nerve. Identification of the underlying mechanisms may suggest strategies for more effective postoperative pain management in the growing population of opioid-tolerant patients.