Comparative evaluation of analgesic efficacy of buprenorphine transdermal patch and fentanyl patch in management of postoperative pain after arthroscopic lower limb surgery: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Transdermal opioids are newer modality in use for the control of postoperative pain, because of its noninvasiveness, longer duration of action, sustained blood levels, and with minimal side effects. The study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of analgesia of buprenorphine patch 10, 20 μg·h(-1) and fentanyl patch 25 μg·h(-1) for relief of pain in the postoperative period in patients undergoing arthroscopic lower limb surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a randomized, double-blinded, prospective study in which adult patients undergoing lower limb arthroscopic surgery were randomly segregated into three groups. In Group 1 (fentanyl patch 25 μg·h(-1)), Group 2 (buprenorphine patch 10 μg·h(-1)), and Group 3 (buprenorphine patch 20 μg·h(-1)), transdermal patches were applied 12 h prior to surgery. Mean NRS score, total rescue analgesic requirement, drug-related adverse effects, and hemodynamic status were evaluated till 72 h in the postoperative period. RESULTS: Out of 175 screened patients, 150 patients were finally analyzed. Baseline characteristics were the same among all the three groups. Median NRS score was lowest in Group 3 [P value < 0.05 at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after surgery (Kruskal Wallis test). The total consumption of postoperative rescue analgesic diclofenac was the lowest in Group 3 as compared to other groups without any significant increase in adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In arthroscopic lower limb surgery, buprenorphine patch (20 μg·h(-1)) applied 12 h prior to surgery is an effective postoperative analgesic and it is not associated with any significant adverse effects.