Post-operative analgesic efficacy of transdermal fentanyl patch in patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy

The aim of the study: Determine if transdermal fentanyl patches (TFP) at a dose of 25 g/hour, given 10-12 hours before surgery, are more effective than intravenous analgesics at reducing postoperative pain after total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) (1).Materials and Techniques: We enrolled sixty patients scheduled for elective TLH under general anesthesia. After the surgery, we randomly assigned the subjects to receive intravenous tramadol 50 mg-100 mg and TFP (1, 2) at a rate of 25 g/hour. Over the course of 48 hours, patients were assessed every 8 hours (3).Findings: The TFP group experienced a decrease in the numerical rating scale ratings for pain during activity and at rest over a 48-hour period (1). Although there were statistical improvements in the ambulation and nausea/vomiting (3) scores, there was no meaningful difference between the groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the groups' sedation scores, which were modest. (1, 2)In Conclusion: In the first 48 hours following TLH surgery, TFP (25 μg/hour) can effectively lower pain scores when given 10-12 hours prior to surgery. (1, 2)