Comparative study of transdermal buprenorphine and fentanyl patch for post-operative analgesia in abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia: a randomised single blinded study

Background: Postoperative pain is one of the main concerns for the patient undergoing any major surgery. Effective control of post-operative pain is a major challenge to the surgeon and the attending anaesthesiologist. In spite of recent developments in pain treatment, many patients still experienced moderate to severe pain after surgery. Methods: The study groups divided into two, named group A and group B. The total sample size was 80, 40 patients in each group. Patients were allotted in two groups after block randomization viz: Group A (n=40)-patients received buprenorphine patch (10 ?g/h) and patients in group B (n=40) received fentanyl patch of (25 礸/h). Results: Difference in VAS scores among the two groups were found statistically significant from the end of surgery to 6 hours after surgery. However, from 12 hours after surgery, both the groups had comparable VAS scores. Among hemodynamic parameters, the heart rate and mean arterial pressure variation came out to be insignificant among both study groups. Group B showed more incidence of vomiting and constipation as compared to group A. There was no incidence of skin irritation, respiratory depression and urinary retention in both the groups. Conclusions: The present study concluded that for elective abdominal surgeries under general anaesthesia, transdermal buprenorphine 10 mcg/hr and fentanyl 25 mcg/hr administered 12 hours prior to surgery are safe, reliable, maintaining haemodynamic stability with continuous effective post operative pain relief. Buprenorphine patch is more cost effective and PONV is more with fentanyl and hence, buprenorphine is better than fentanyl patch.