ABSTRACT
To compare the analgesic efficacy of a single dose preoperative intramuscular Ketorolac versus diclofenac sodium for prevention of postoperative pain after third molar surgery. This Experimental comparative study. Department of Anesthesia, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, AI-Zahra Hospital, Geo Care, and Maryam Maternity Hospital, DG Khan. October 2011 to March 2012. Patients undergoing elective third molar surgery were randomly assigned into one of the two groups. ln each group, 60 patients completed the study properly. Group-l received diclofenac sodium 75 mg lM 20 min preoperatively and group-ll received Ketorolac 30 mg lM 20 min preoperatively. Patient in Ketorolac group reported significantly lesser pain intensity scores in the 3rd hour pain than the Diclofenac group [p-value lesser than 0.0001]. Patient also reported significantly longer mean time to rescue analgesic 7.5 h versus 4.8h [p lesser than 0.001., student t test] that is approximately 2.5 h longer duration of preventive analgesic consumption [p=0.006, student t test]. Preoperative intramuscular injection of Ketorolac 30 mg is more effective than Diclofenac 75 mg in the prevention of postoperative 3rd molar pain.