The effect of ketorolac on postoperative febrile episodes in patients after abdominal myomectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to determine whether administering the anti-inflammatory agent ketorolac after abdominal myomectomy reduces the incidence of febrile episodes.


METHODS
This prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical investigation compared administering ketorolac 15 mg intravenously every 6 hours beginning in the recovery room with saline solution administered in the same regimen in 122 patients undergoing abdominal myomectomy in a large, urban academic medical center. The primary outcome was fever >101.0 degrees F in the postoperative period. Results were analyzed by chi(2) analysis, independent samples t test, and logistic regression.


RESULTS
Data were analyzed on 112 patients, with 56 in the treatment group and 56 in the placebo group. After confounding factors were controlled with logistic regression, the data revealed a statistically significant reduction in febrile episodes in the ketorolac-treated group (27%) compared with the saline solution-treated group (41%) (P =.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with ketorolac after abdominal myomectomy results in a statistically significant reduction in the rate of febrile episodes.
Held
Barbara I
BI
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Campus, New York 10032, USA.
Michels
Anne
A
Blanco
Jody
J
Ascher-Walsh
Charles
C
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D020910:Ketorolac / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016015:Logistic Models; D009215:Myometrium / Q000601:surgery*; D010919:Placebos; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010919:Placebos; D020910:Ketorolac