Buprenorphine or procaine for pain relief in acute pancreatitis. A prospective randomized study.

To assess the analgesic efficacy and side effects of buprenorphine and procaine in patients with acute pancreatitis.Forty patients (average age, 50 years; 23 male) with acute pancreatitis or an acute bout of a chronic pancreatitis were prospectively randomized to receive buprenorphine or procaine for pain relief. Both analgesics were administered as constant intravenous (i.v.) infusions and additional analgesics were given on demand. Pain scores were assessed on a visual analogue scale. Close clinical control and laboratory checks were performed during the three-day study period.Patients receiving buprenorphine were significantly less likely to demand additional analgesics (1 versus 14 pati…