Anesthesia management in pregnant patients with addiction requires a multidisciplinary approach and careful consideration of both maternal and fetal well-being. Anesthesiologists must be aware of potential complications related to substance use, such as altered pain tolerance, drug interactions, and the risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Individualized approaches, such as regional anesthesia, can help minimize systemic opioids and neonatal withdrawal symptoms. Medication-assisted therapy, including the use of buprenorphine and methadone, has been shown to reduce illicit opioid use and improve outcomes for both mother and baby. Collaborative care among healthcare providers, including obstetricians, anesthesiologists, and addiction specialists, is essential to optimize perioperative management in this vulnerable population. To learn more about anesthesia management in addiction during pregnancy, you can download the PowerPoint file here.
