Effect of preoperative application of buprenorphine transdermal patch on analgesic requirement in postoperative period in hip and knee replacement surgeries

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although no pain control following hip and knee replacement surgeries has attained gold standard, it is clear that patients should have optimum pain control after total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty for enhanced satisfaction and function. We conducted this study to evaluate the effect of preoperative application of buprenorphine transdermal patch on analgesic requirement in perioperative period after knee and hip replacement surgeries MATERIAL AND METHODS: Following institutional ethical committee approval and written informed consent, a prospective study was conducted in 50 patients of either gender belonging to ASA1 or ASA2 status, requiring either knee or hip replacement. The patients were assessed in preoperative period, and buprenorphine patch of 10 mg (sustained release of 10 μg/h) was applied either on the chest or on outer side of the arm 12 h before surgery. Total knee arthroplasty/total hip arthroplasty was done under combined spinal epidural blockade. Epidural infusion with 0.125% bupivacaine at a rate of 4–5 mL/h was continued in postoperative period. Intravenous opioid analgesics were avoided in postoperative period, and whenever required only iv paracetamol 1g was given. Outcome in terms of requirement of iv analgesic, visual analog pain score, any associated nausea vomiting, itching, and level of somnolence was noted in postoperative period at 1,2,3,4,8,12,16,20,24,48, and 72 h, respectively. RESULTS: None of the patient required rescue analgesia in the first 2 h. During 72 h postoperative period of observation 32% of patients demanded rescue analgesics at 8(th) hour, followed by 20% at 4(th) hour and 16% at 12(th) hour. CONCLUSION: Preoperative application of transdermal patch significantly reduces the requirement of postoperative intravenous opioid and nonopioid analgesic drugs.