Comparative study of tramadol and propacetamol for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing nasal surgeries

ABSTRACT

To compare the analgesic and side effects of propacetamol and tramadol after nasal surgeries. King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, Riyadh [KSA]. From January 2006 to February 2007. A total number of 40 surgical patients were prospectively randomized into two equal groups of 20 and were entered into single blinded clinical trial. Anaethesta. protocol was similar for all patients. Pain intensity was measured based on a 4-point verbal rating scale [VRS]. VRS was obtained before analgesic administration [T0] and at 0.5, 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours, Patients received either tramadol 100 mg I/V or propacetamol 2 gm I/V at T0 and then 50 mg tramadol or 1.5 gm propacetamol at 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours if pain was present. The results of this study showed that propacetamol is less effective as analgesic in severe pain requiring more supplementary morphine as compared to tramadol. On the other hand tramadol is associated with higher incidence of nausea and or vomiting than with parcetamol. It was concluded from the study that propacetamol is less effective as analgesic in severe pain receiving more supplementary morphine as compared to tramadol