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Transdermal buprenorphine patch versus oral celecoxib for pain management after total knee arthroplasty: An open- label, randomized controlled trial

Xin-Xian Xu, Linghui Xie, Hai-Xiao Liu, Yue-Zheng Hu

Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research, 2020

160 participants · 19 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND

This study was performed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of transdermal buprenorphine (TDB) patched for post-operative pain control after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The hypothesis was that patients receiving the TDB patch would have less pain in comparison to those treated with the oral COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib without increasing side effects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 160 patients scheduled for primary TKA were randomly assigned to two groups: patients provided the TDB patch (10μg/h) (TDB group) and those provided oral celecoxib (CX group). The outcomes were pain scores measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) during rest and activity, as well as morphine requirement, operated knee functional recovery and adverse events post-operatively.

RESULTS

The total morphine given during the first 72h post-operatively was significantly lower in the TDB group than CX group. The VAS scores were significantly lower in the TDB group than CX group during rest at 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 and 48h post-operatively, and during activity at 12, 24 and 48h and 3 days post-operatively. The mean range of motion on post-operative days (PD) 1, 2 and 3 were significantly greater in the TDB group. In addition, the Lysholm score was significantly higher in the TDB group on PD 3. There were no remarkable adverse events in either group.

DISCUSSION

Use of the TDB patch provides effective pain relief and reduces the requirement for rescue morphine without increasing side…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 160 participants or records.

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