A Pre Induction Administration of One Gram Oral or Intravenous Acetaminophen in Control of Post-Operative Pain: A Comparative Study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Post operative pain after surgery is a cause ofsignificant morbidity and patient dissatisfaction. In this studywe try to compare efficacy between 1 gram acetaminophenoral dose with 1 gram acetaminophen intravenous dose incontrolling post operative pain.Material and methods: This study is a prospective,randomized and comparative study conducted at NRI instituteof medical sciences, Visakhapatnam between Oct 2016 toOctober 2017. 90 patients belonging to ASA status I and IIof both genders, age group- 18 to 60 years and undergoingsurgeries under general anaesthesia lasting less than 2 hourswere enrolled for the study. 2 groups out of which Group Areceived 1gm oral paracetamol and Group B received 1gmintravenous paracetamol. The grous were compared postoperatively for pain scores at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 minute aftersurgery using visual analogua scale(VAS)Results: The mean VAS scores were 2.78, 4.07, 5.81, 6.36, 6.5for Group A and 2.18, 3.5, 4.76, 6.04, 6.43 for Group B. Thuspain scores were consistently lesser in Group B than GroupA. Pain scores were significantly lower in Group B during thetime period 30 mins and 90 mins (p values 0.039 and 0.002respectively). The time of first rescue analgesia (i.e, Fentanyl)was compared in both the groups. Mean for time of demandfor analgesia was 88.67 mins and 102 mins in Group A andGroup B respectively. P value was 0.05 thus a significantlyearlier requirement of rescue analgesia in Group A.Conclusion: The rescue analgesic requirement wassignificantly lesser in intravenous acetaminophen group.Hence 1gm intravenous paracetamol is superior to oralformulation in controlling post operative pain