This document updates the Practice Guidelines for the Prevention, Detection and Management of Respiratory Depression Associated with Neuraxial Opioid Administration adopted by the ASA in 2007 and posted online at asahq.org. This updated report by the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Neuraxial Opioids includes new survey data and recommendations pertaining to monitoring for respiratory depression.

This updated Practice Guideline was published in Anesthesiology February 2009.