European journal of anaesthesiology
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Opioid addiction represents an exaggerated organic and psychological comorbidity and should be regarded as a high-risk problem. Particular features seen perioperatively are tolerance, hyperalgesia and higher analgesic requirement together with physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Adequate pain management should have a high priority even for these patients. ⋯ This article intends to simplify the management of drug-dependent patients and offers strategies for perioperative analgesia that include stabilisation of physical dependency by substitution with methadone or μ-agonists; avoidance of stress; use of regional techniques in combination with non-opioids or opioids with higher doses than those used in non-addicts; avoidance of inadequate analgesic dosing; effective use of the opioid-sparing effect of different co-analgesics; and psychological support wherever appropriate. Those caring for abstinent patients should note that an inadequate dosage of analgesics can potentially reactivate addiction. After successful withdrawal of opioids and prolonged abstinence, opioid therapy can result in an exaggerated response.
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Abdominal aortic surgery is a high-risk procedure, with aortic aneurysm and aortic occlusive diseases being the main indications. These groups are often regarded as having equal perioperative risk profiles. Previous reports suggest that the haemodynamic and inflammatory response to aortic clamping is more pronounced in patients with aortic aneurysm disease, which may affect outcome. ⋯ Patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms were at higher risk of developing postoperative organ dysfunction and required more ICU resources than patients with occlusive disease, despite no differences in hospital length of stay or 30-day mortality. Distinguishing between these two diseases may be useful in planning and distribution of ICU resources and for in future studies.