A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial of Transdermal Fentanyl after Abdominal Hysterectomy Analgesic, Respiratory, and Pharmacokinetic Effects

Abstract

Application of TTSF patches 2 h preoperatively is associated with moderate supplementary opioid requirements for analgesia in the early postoperative period and ongoing opioid supplementation for at least 72 h. Although good analgesia is the result of this combination therapy, it is associated with a high incidence of respiratory depression requiring intensive monitoring oxygen supplementation, removal of the TTSF patches in approximately 11% of the patients and opioid reversal with naloxone in approximately 8% of the patients.