title: Comparison of efficacy and effectiveness between ULTRACET and tramadol/acetaminophen in acute postoperative pain after upper extremity surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and effectiveness between ULTRACE, a new analgesic combination of tramadol/ acetaminophen, and tramadol/acetaminophen for acute postoperative pain after upper extremity surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double blind randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and eighty patients who underwent upper extremity surgery under brachial plexus block were randomized to receive either ULTRACE (n = 87) or tramadol and acetaminophen (n = 93) immediately after surgery in the postanesthetic care unit (PACU). Total morphine requirement, pain score (VRS) and drug adverse effects were compared between those two groups using independent single t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Chi-square test and Fisher-exact test respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total morphine requirement was significantly lower in subjects who used ULTRACE when compared with the tramadol and acetaminophen group (0.51 and 0.69 mg in the first 6 hours after the operation, 0.0 and 0.13 mg in hours 6-12 after the operation). Moreover there were fewer side effects in this ULTRACE group too.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ULTRACET has more efficacy and fewer side effects when compared with tramadol and acetaminophen in acute postoperative pain surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. psawaddi@med.cmu.ac.th
authors.forename: Passakorn
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sawaddiruk
authors.forename: Sahattaya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paiboonworachat
authors.forename: Kittichai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Janthawichai
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D014147:Tramadol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D004338:Drug Combinations; C478659:Ultracet; D000082:Acetaminophen; D014147:Tramadol; D009020:Morphine