Comparative study of non steroidal anti inflammatory durgs in postoperative pain

ABSTRACT

To compare the efficacy of ketoprofen and diclofenac sodium in the management of postoperative pain. Patients and The study was conducted in Surgical Unit-I with the collaboration of Pharmacology Department Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro from May 2002 to February 2003 [10 months]. This study was carried out on 100 patients, 50 for each group [group-A ketoprofen and group-B diclofenac sodium]. Assessment of analgesic action of two drugs was carried out on a prepared proforma designed for the study. Grading of severity of pain was based on clinical grounds and visual analogue scale. Postoperative requirement of these analgesic drugs regarding dosage, duration and efficacy were compared. Hundred postoperative patient-, were selected in this study, which included 50 patients in each group. Majority of patients belonged to 20 - 40 years of age with mean age in group-A of 35.58 years, and in group--9, 29.96 years. Male to female ratio in group-A was 119. and group-B=113. All underwent major surgical procedures under general anaesthesia and were assessed for postoperative pain relief. Severe pain was experienced by most of the patients in group-A [45-90%] and group-B [44-88%]. Onset of analgesia of each drug varied from 15 - 30 minutes, but it revealed early response i.e 15-20 minutes in group-A [46-92%] as compared to group-B [42-84%]. Average duration of analgesia was 8 - 12 hours, but maximum effect i.e 12 hours was seen in group-A [45-90%] as compared to group-B [39-78%]. Opioids were given to 30% of patients in group-A and 36% of patients in group-B. Side effects were seen more in cases of group-B as compared to group A. NSAIDs are as effective as opioids in postoperative pain relief. They also decrease the use of opioids post-operatively. Ketoprofen is more potent analgesic as compared to diclofenac sodium because of its dual mode of action i.e. peripheral as well as central. It has minimum side effects