Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of PCA buprenorphine (intravenous) on postoperative pain in gynecologic patients of Taiwan and the potency ratio of buprenorphine versus morphine, a commonly used potent analgesic.
Methods: Fifty women undergoing abdominal total hysterectomy under spinal anesthesia were enrolled into the investigation. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 25 each). Group 1 received intravenous buprenorphine using PCA device for the management of postoperative pain, whereas Group 2 received PCA morphine for the same purpose. During the first 48 hours postoperatively, we collected the following data: demand and delivery of analgesics, pain scores, vital signs, nausea, vomiting and pruritus.
Results: Despite different treatments, we found that pain scores on day 1 and day 2 postoperatively were low and were not significantly different between groups. Also, times of demand for delivery of PCA medication were not significantly different between groups. The cumulative consumption of buprenorphine and morphine within 48 h were 1.5 +/- 0.6 mg and 36 +/- 7 mg, respectively. The potency ratio between buprenorphine and morphine was 24:1. Both treatments showed only minor side effects.
Conclusions: We found that PCA buprenorphine (intravenous) could be effective in the treatment of postoperative pain in the gynecologic patients in Taiwan and the potency ratio of buprenorphine versus morphine appeared to be 24:1.