A Comparison of Epidural Buprenorphine and Morphine for the Management of Post-Cesarean Section Pain and the Side Effects

Pothikasem V.,M.D.*,Puernngooluerm P.,M.D.**

*Department of Anesthesiology,** Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok 10400

  Epidural buprenorphine and epidural morphine were investigated as a postoperative analgesia in a randomized study of cesarean patients given epidural analgesia with 2% lidocaine with adrenaline. After testing dose for 2% lidocaine with adrenaline 17 cc, patients were given either 0.3 mg buprenorphine (B group, n = 30) or 5 mg morphine (M group, n = 30). In postoperative period, the postoperative pain felt by the patients and side effects were recorded.
  Analgesia after 0.3 mg buprenorphine was not significantly different from those of 5 mg morphine in eight hours after surgery (p > 0.05). After the tenth to twenty-fourth hour,M group had less pain than B group ( p < 0.05). However the side effects of M group eg. pruritus,nausea and vomiting were more marked than B group (p < 0.05).
  We conclude that the epidural administration of 0.3 mg buprenorphine may be recommended for postoperative analgesia following cesarean section with less side effects.