Intrathecal buprenorphine for postoperative analgesia in orthopaedic surgery

Sixty patients aged 50-65 years randomly received intrathecally either hyperbaric bupivacaine hydrochloride (one ml) in group A (30 cases) or bupivacaine hydrochloride (one ml) and buprenorphine 300 micrograms in combination in group B (30 cases). They were all scheduled for orthopaedic operations in the lower limbs. Prolonged postoperative analgesia, minimal disturbance of consciousness and respiration were observed in the group that received buprenorphine. The only side-effect found in the buprenorphine group was nausea and vomiting in 10 patients. This study shows that buprenorphine is an effective analgesic suitable for the management of postoperative pain in elderly patients.