We report a prospective double-blind trial of the efficacy and safety of a single epidural dose of buprenorphine on pain after lumbar surgery. Postoperative pain was assessed by a face scale chart and by the additional requirement for analgesia.
The patients receiving buprenorphine were more comfortable and required less analgesia in the first 24 hours after operation than the control group. This suggests that the method is effective and safe for reducing pain.
