[Analgesia with intra-articular injection of buprenorphine after surgery of the shoulder]

Abstract

The effect of 10 ml of intra-articular buprenorphine (0.30 mg) or normal saline on postoperative pain after shoulder surgery was studied in a randomized, prospective, double-blind study in 30 ASA I-II patients receiving general anaesthesia. The pain scores (Five Point Scale ranging from "no pain" to "unbearable pain" and Visual Analog Pain Scale) 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 24 hours after surgery, time to first analgesic use and total 6-hours and 24-hours analgesic requirements were recorded. VAPS was significantly lower in the buprenorphine group compared with placebo-treated patients one hour after surgery (p < 0.05). The time to first analgesic use was longer and total 6-h opioid requirements were lower in the buprenorphine group when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were detected in total 24-h analgesic requirements between the two groups. These results indicate that intra-articular injection of buprenorphine after shoulder surgery provides short analgesia. This effect may be mediated by systemic absorption.