Is intravenous paracetamol a useful adjunct for intraoperative pain?

ABSTRACT

Paracetamol is a safe and cost effective intravenous [IV] analgesic. This survey was conducted to assess the satisfaction of anesthetics with the intra-operative use of IV paracetamol as an adjunt for intra-operative pain relief. This cross-sectional survey was conducted for 3 months in a tertiary care university hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. All patients admitted for surgery and received IV paracetamol were enrolled. Data was collected by administering a pre-coded questionnaire to anesthetists about the patient and response to the IV paracetamol. In total 270 patients were enrolled. Of all, most were young males [59%] with American Society of Anaesthesiology [ASA] II status. In addition to paracetamol, pethidine was most often used. There was a 94% satisfaction rate and most anesthetics felt that the cost was justified. Heart rate was the variable most affected [60%]. Most anesthetists were satisfied with the use of IV paracetamol as an adjunct to intra-operative analgesia