Perioperative management of a patient undergoing Clagett window closure stabilized on Suboxone® for chronic pain: a case report

Purpose Buprenorphine is a semisynthetic opioid with both agonist and antagonist activity at the opioid receptor. Currently, buprenorphine is commonly available in sublingual preparations combined with naloxone (e.g., Suboxone®, Subutex®). There has been increased use of buprenorphine derivatives in the areas of substance addiction and chronic pain. Nevertheless, there is limited and conflicting information in the literature pertaining to the optimal management of buprenorphine-stabilized patients presenting for surgery. We present our experience with a chronic pain patient on buprenorphine presenting for thoracic surgery.