Early analgesic effects of parecoxib versus ketorolac following laparoscopic sterilization: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this prospective double blind randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of ketorolac and parecoxib on early postoperative pain.

METHOD

We studied 36 ASA I/II patients who received a standardized general anaesthetic for laparoscopic sterilization. Patients were allocated randomly to receive either parecoxib 40 mg i.v. or ketorolac 30 mg i.v., at induction. After surgery, patients were assessed on awakening and then at 1, 2, and 3 h. Abdominal pain at rest and on inspiration, in addition to nausea and sedation were assessed on a 100 mm visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

Of 36 patients, one was excluded from analysis. In the remaining patients, pain scores at rest and on inspiration were significantly lower in patients given ketorolac compared with those given parecoxib. This difference was attributable to the higher pain scores on awakening and at 1 h postoperatively in the parecoxib group compared with the ketorolac group. Despite this initial difference, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the number of patients receiving rescue analgesia. The median (interquartile range) time to consumption of rescue cocodamol of 60 (46-74) min in the parecoxib group was not significantly shorter than that of 100 (70-130) min in the ketorolac group. The amount of cyclizine given, nausea and sedation did not differ significantly between the groups.

CONCLUSION

We found that parecoxib 40 mg i.v. given at induction of anaesthesia was less effective than or ketorolac 30 mg i.v., in the first hour after laparoscopic sterilization.