Mandatory sublingual buprenorphine for postoperative pain

This study examined the analgesic effect, vital signs and side effects when 0.4 mg doses of buprenorphine were given pre-emptively for the treatment of postoperative pain after elective total hip replacement. Pain intensity, pain relief, retrospective peak pain intensity and pain relief, sedation, vital signs and side effects were measured 1 hour after surgery and then in the morning and evening of the first 2 postoperative days. There was a significant improvement in pain measured over the 3 days, with concomitant reduction in side effects and sedation. However, there was a significant increase in the number of patients with a pulse rate greater than 100 beats per minute. No particular benefit for postoperative pain relief was observed in patients receiving buprenorphine premedication in comparison with those who had received morphine or placebo.