The Effect of Transdermal Fentanyl and Intravenouns Morphine on Postoperative Analgesia and Stress Response

Objective To observe the effect of transdermal fentanyl and intravenous morphine on postoperative pain relieve and stress. Methods Thirty patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery were divided into three groups: group A (transdermal fentanyl) , group B (intravenous morphy) , group C (placebo). The VAS was assessed at 4, 8, 12, 24h postoperatively and adverse effects such as nause and vomiting were also recorded. The plasma cortisol was examined on the afternoon of the surgical day and the day before surgery. Results The VAS in group A and B were significently lower than group C at 8, 12h (P 0. 05). There were no siginificent differences on VAS between group A and B. All patients plasma cortisol were significently increased postoperatively. Although the mean values of group A B were lower than group C, the plasma cortisol was not significently different among three groups. Conclusion The transdermal fentanyl can effectively relieve the postoperative pain with similar analgesic effect and occurrence of adverse events in comparison with morphine.