Rofecoxib versus hydrocodone/acetaminophen for postoperative analgesia in functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is less invasive and more tissue sparing than extirpative techniques, with an assumed benefit of diminished postoperative pain. Oral opioids are commonly prescribed after sinus surgery but are associated with adverse effects, including gastrointestinal and neurologic symptoms. Nonopioid analgesics have been suggested to offer similar pain control efficacy with fewer adverse effects.


METHODS
To investigate postoperative analgesia in FESS, a prospective randomized, double-blinded comparison of hydrocodone/acetaminophen 7.5/750 mg (an opioidderivative) with rofecoxib 50 mg (a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor) was performed.


METHODS
Forty subjects were enrolled, of which 28 successfully completed the study. Subjects recorded peak pain levels and requirement for rescue analgesia on the day of surgery and for 4 days thereafter. On postoperative day 5, subjects completed an exit survey in which adverse effects and overall satisfaction with pain control were recorded.


RESULTS
In this study, there were no statistical differences in peak pain levels between the groups at any point in the postoperative period, regardless of extent of surgery. Adverse effect profiles were also similar for the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of nonopioid analgesics after FESS may provide similar pain control to oral opioids.
Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California 92354, USA. cchurch@llu.edu
Christopher A
CA
Church
Charles
C
Stewart
T J
TJ
O-Lee
Desiree
D
Wallace
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006853:Hydrocodone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007783:Lactones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D007783:Lactones; D013450:Sulfones; C116926:rofecoxib; D000082:Acetaminophen; D006853:Hydrocodone