Author(s)

Kelly R Bowen, Jonathan D Baum

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, USA.

A G6P2032 female, prior cesarean x3 with history of opioid addiction maintained on buprenorphine presented for scheduled repeat cesarean section. Pre-operatively, her maintenance dose of medication was held secondary to concerns for partial agonist effect. Post-operative pain control was suboptimal with the patient ultimately proceeding to withdrawal. Doses of hydromorphone were titrated to 10 mg every 3 hours to avoid further withdrawal. Review of expert opinion after discharge recommended against holding buprenorphine therapy in the post-operative period. Pain management options include maintenance therapy with additional doses of opioid and non-opioid pain relieving medications.

Buprenorphine, Methadone, Addiction, Pregnancy, Opiate Use in Pregnancy

Bowen, K. and Baum, J. (2017) Life after Addiction—Post-Operative Pain Management in an Obstetrical Patient on Long-Term Buprenorphine Therapy. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 7, 951-956. doi: 10.4236/ojog.2017.79096.