Diclofenac sodium versus paracetamol preoperatively for tonsillectomy: effects on pain and haemostasis

ABSTRACT

Sixty children and adolescents [6-16 y] were randomized in this study to receive rectal paracetamol 13-20 mg kg-1 [group I] or diclofenac sodium 0.65-1.0 mg kg-1 [group II] preoperatively. Pain was evaluated postoperatively by means of the visual analogue scale and by recording the use of pethidine for rescue analgesia. Perioperative blood loss was estimated from The measured intraoperative blood loss, bleeding time, use of drugs to achieve haemostasis and the incidence of reoperations. Surgical duration was prolonged and blood loss was more in group II than those in group I, but nonsignificant. Bleeding time was prolonged [but within the normal range] in group II than group I. The postoperative pain was significantly less with diclofenac [group II] than paracetamol [group I]. This was clear from time from extubation to 1st pethidine dose [34 + 15 in group II vs. 25 + 11 in group I]. Pethidine consumption was 21.7 +/- 7.4 in group III vs. 29.5 +/- 8.1 group I. Desmopressine use was more with diclofenac and vomiting was more in group II