Early Surgical Excision of Necrotic Tissue Following Unintentional Dermal Injection of Extended-Release Buprenorphine

Extended-release subcutaneous buprenorphine is an increasingly common treatment for opioid use disorder. Serious adverse events are rare and may be poorly understood. This report describes an early surgical intervention to address tissue necrosis resulting from misplaced subcutaneous buprenorphine injection. We review identifying characteristics that distinguish the necrotic reaction from other adverse effects of subcutaneous buprenorphine and offer guidance to continue treatment with subcutaneous buprenorphine.

A 33-year-old patient returned to clinic within an hour of his buprenorphine injection, reporting pain and skin changes unlike his previous injections. Non blanching erythema consistent with early necrosis was evident, and the patient was referred for surgical removal of his buprenorphine depot. The patient had uncomplicated healing of the surgical site and was provided sublingual buprenorphine before returning to continue treatment with subcutaneous buprenorphine.

Although skin necrosis is known to be a rare complication of subcutaneous buprenorphine injection, early surgical excision to limit injury has not been described. Signs and symptoms of skin necrosis must be better understood to facilitate early intervention and continued treatment.

This case affirms that a patient may continue treatment with subcutaneous buprenorphine despite suffering skin necrosis and demonstrates the value of early surgical intervention after superficial placement of extended-release buprenorphine.