Buprenorphine for acute post-surgical pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Our study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of buprenorphine for the management of acute post-surgical pain reported in published studies in the years 2015–2022. Comprehensive research was performed by using online resources like PUBMED and the Wiley Library database to gather the relevant literature. Two authors were assigned to independently collect the information. Cochran's Q-test and I square statistic were used to determine the heterogeneity across the studies. Publication bias was estimated by using the Egger regression analysis and found to be significantly present once the P value <0.05. In this review, 15 studies were included. The pooled ratio of pain reduction after 12 hours of surgery was reported as 11.2% with 97% heterogeneity. Day one shows 5.9 reductions in pain with 98% heterogeneity. The 3% more pain was reduced on day 2. The day 3 pooled pain reduction score was observed as 1.9%. The overall pool prevalence of pain reduction was noted as 6.2% at different time duration with significant heterogeneity of 100%. Buprenorphine transdermal and sublingual both have significant pain relief scores. The analgesic drug consumption was reduced at the end of the follow-up duration.