A randomized, placebo-controlled study of rofecoxib with paracetamol in early post-tonsillectomy pain in adults.
OBJECTIVE
Effective and early treatment of postoperative pain and nausea have become pivotal for the early discharge of patients after tonsillectomy. Opioid-based analgesia is standard practice but the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is discouraged due to their platelet inhibiting properties. The cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective analgesics and do not affect platelet function. We hypothesized that premedication with cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in addition to paracetamol would provide effective analgesia and decrease opioid consumption during early recovery from tonsillectomy.


METHODS
In a randomized, placebo-controlled study of adult tonsillectomy patients (n=40) one group (R-group; n=20) was premedicated with paracetamol 1.5 g and rofecoxib 50 mg and a control group (P-group; n=20) was premedicated with paracetamol 1.5 g and placebo. Morphine was used as rescue medication. Postoperative (24 h) pain scores (0--10), morphine consumption as well as intraoperative blood loss were recorded.


RESULTS
We found no overall difference in pain scores between the groups but significantly more patients in the placebo group had pain scores >5 within the first 8 h. The rofecoxib group consumed less morphine during the first 12 h. A lower intraoperative blood loss was observed in the rofecoxib group.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest an early although clinically minor analgesic benefit of the addition of a cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug to paracetamol as premedication for adult tonsillectomy.
Naesh
O
O
Timaru Hospital, Department of Anaesthesia, New Zealand. onaesh@timhosp.co.nz
Niles
L A
LA
Gilbert
J G
JG
Ammar
M M
MM
Phibbs
P W
PW
Phillips
A M
AM
Khrapov
A V
AV
Robert
A J
AJ
McClintock
A
A
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014068:Tonsillectomy
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D007783:Lactones; D013450:Sulfones; C116926:rofecoxib; D000082:Acetaminophen