Caudal epidural buprenorphine for postoperative pain relief in children

Abstract

Postoperative pain relief by caudal epidural buprenorphine, a highly lipid-soluble, semisynthetic derivative of thebaine, has not been reported in children. Over a period of 1 year, 58 children undergoing various surgical procedures were given 3 μg/kg epidural buprenorphine via the caudal route. No serious side effects were encountered; on the contrary, the excellent and long-lasting pain relief (about 7 days) observed in the majority (91.38%) of the cases as compared with other opioids should go a long way toward reducing the psychological trauma otherwise suffered by children undergoing hospitalization and surgery. © 1992 Springer-Verlag.