Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs for postthoracotomy pain. A prospective controlled trial after lateral thoracotomy.
Diclofenac (Voltarol) as an adjunct to papaveretum for pain relief was examined by a prospective, randomized trial in 44 patients who had lateral thoracotomies. Patients given diclofenac, 75 mg intramuscularly twice daily, required less papaveretum in the first 3 days after operation (p less than 0.005) and had lower pain scores on a visual analog scale on all 5 postoperative days (p = 0.02 to less than 0.001); their respiratory vital capacity on the first postoperative day was also significantly higher (p less than 0.02). Diclofenac is a useful adjunct in the management of postthoracotomy pain.
Rhodes
M
M
Cardiothoracic Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England.
Conacher
I
I
Morritt
G
G
Hilton
C
C
D004008:Diclofenac / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009892:Opium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology
D004008:Diclofenac; D009892:Opium