Comparative Evaluation of the Analgesic Efficacy of Buprenorphine and Fentanyl Patch for the Relief of Pain in the Postoperative Period in Patients Undergoing Lower Abdominal Gynecological Surgeries

Abstract Background: Effective postoperative pain management is critical for optimal recovery following lower abdominal gynecological surgeries. Despite pharmacologic advances, inadequate analgesia remains common, leading to complications such as prolonged hospitalization and the risk of chronic pain. This study compares the analgesic efficacy of transdermal buprenorphine versus fentanyl patches in this surgical population. Materials and Methods: A prospective, randomized, analytical study was conducted on 46 female patients aged 29-55 years, classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a transdermal buprenorphine patch (20 μg/h) or a fentanyl patch (25 μg/h) 12 h before surgery. Preoperative counseling on the numeric rating scale (NRS) was conducted, and postoperative pain scores and adverse effects were recorded over 48 h. Results: Group A (buprenorphine) demonstrated significantly lower NRS pain scores compared to Group B (fentanyl) at 2 h (2.52 ± 1.12 vs. 3.52 ± 0.67; P = 0.0006), 8 h (1.26 ± 0.45 vs. 1.65 ± 0.49; P = 0.0073), 12 h (1.26 ± 0.45 vs. 1.78 ± 0.42; P = 0.0002), and 24 h (1.09 ± 0.20 vs. 1.65 ± 0.49; P = 0.0002) postoperatively. There were no significant differences in age, ASA grade distribution, or adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and respiratory depression between the two groups ( P > 0.05 for all). Conclusion: Buprenorphine patches provide superior analgesia in the early postoperative period compared to fentanyl patches in patients undergoing lower abdominal gynecological surgeries. Buprenorphine may be the preferred option for enhancing patient comfort and recovery.