Sublingual buprenorphine for acute postoperative cancer pain: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background: Sublingual buprenorphine is an atypical opioid that potentially has a wider safety profile than conventional opioids. However, there is a paucity of literature concerning its role in acute postoperative pain. Aim: To describe the use of sublingual buprenorphine including efficacy and safety for the management of acute postoperative pain at a comprehensive cancer centre. Method: A retrospective study of sublingual buprenorphine analgesia after cancer surgery between 1 June 2015 to 31 October 2016. Outcome measures included pain scores (Verbal Numerical Rating Scale), dosage, oral morphine equivalent daily dose before treatment, adverse events, co-analgesia, duration of treatment a..