Research Progress on the Clinical Application of Opioid-Free Anesthesia

Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) is an innovative anesthetic strategy that minimizes intraoperative opioid use by employing multimodal analgesia, including regional techniques, non-opioid analgesics, and nerve blocks, while ensuring perioperative safety and effective pain control. Current studies suggest that OFA offers potential advantages in reducing opioid-related complications, improving long-term prognosis, and shortening postoperative recovery time. However, further research is needed to explore its long-term benefits and optimal patient populations. This article summarizes the classifications and indications of OFA and reviews its clinical value in gynecological, thoracic, orthopedic, and geriatric surgeries.