| Summary: | Nowadays acute postoperative pain persists as a high prevalence symptom. The incidence, intensity and duration of postoperative pain vary considerably from one patient to another, from one surgery to another, from one hospital to another, and even from one country to another. It is important to learn about recent developments in central sensitisation, as it plays an important role in postoperative pain. Postoperative pain is mainly nociceptive somatic, in response to surgical damage. The surgical trauma and pain cause an endocrine response that increases the secretion of cortisol, catecholamines, and other stress hormones. Tachycardia, hypertension, decreased regional blood flow, impaired immune response, hyperglycaemia, lipolysis, and negative nitrogen balance also occur. All this plays an important role in morbidity and mortality in the postoperative period. Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from thebaine. It has a binding affinity for the mu, kappa and delta receptors, and has a slow dissociation from these receptors. Because of its action on the mu and kappa receptors it can be used as an analgesic, as well as for maintenance therapy in patients with a history of drug abuse. This article will describe the characteristics of acute postoperative pain, the pharmacology of buprenorphine, and its interference in the management of postoperative pain.
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