Buprenorphine for acute post-surgical pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Our study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of buprenorphine for the management of acute post-surgical pain reported in published studies in the years 2015-2022. Comprehensive research was performed by using online resources like PUBMED and the Wiley Library database to gather the relevant literature. Two authors were assigned to independently collect the information. Cochran's Q-test and I square statistic were used to determine the heterogeneity across the studies. Publication bias was estimated by using the Egger regression analysis and found to be significantly present once the P value < 0.05. In this review, 15 studies were included. The pooled ratio of pain reduction after 12 hours of surgery was reported as 11.2% with 97% heterogeneity. Day one shows 5.9 reductions in pain with 98% heterogeneity. The 3% more pain was reduced on day 2. The day 3 pooled pain reduction score was observed as 1.9%. The overall pool prevalence of pain reduction was noted as 6.2% at different time duration with significant heterogeneity of 100%. Buprenorphine transdermal and sublingual both have significant pain relief scores. The analgesic drug consumption was reduced at the end of the follow-up duration.