Dexmedetomidine as Part of a Multimodal Analgesic Treatment Regimen for Opioid Induced Hyperalgesia in a Patient with Significant Opioid Tolerance.

Acute postoperative pain in patients with opioid tolerance creates a significant management challenge for anesthesiologists and pain medicine physicians. A multimodal approach is key; however other factors can complicate management such as opioid induced hyperalgesia. We present the case of a patient on large amounts of intrathecal opioids for chronic pain syndrome with opioid induced hyperalgesia after an exploratory laparotomy.