A Comparative Study of Intravenous Paracetamol and Ketorolac for Postoperative Analgesia Following Laproscopic Cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The present study compared the analgesic efficacy of paracetamol and ketorolac for postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy STUDY DESIGN Prospective randomized double blinded study. MATERIAL AND METHODS Total of 60 patients aged 18-58years with ASA physical status I or II of either sex, scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia were included in this study. Patients were allocated to two equal groups of 30 each by sealed envelope method. . Patients were premedicated with intravenous glycopyrrolate (0.01mg/kg) and fentanyl (2mcg/kg). After preoxygenation with 100 % oxygen for 3 min, patients were induced with IV propofol (2mg/kg) followed by succinyl choline (1.5mg/kg) to facilitate laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane, nitrous oxide 60 % in oxygen, and vecuronium in incremental dosages of 0.02 mg/kg. Group P received an IV infusion of Paracetamol 1gm 30 minutes prior to end of surgery and Group K received 30mg ketorolac iv. The mean arterial blood pressure and SpO2 were recorded prior to induction, after induction and monitored every 15 minutes till the end of surgery and extubation. Once residual neuromuscular blockade was reversed with 0.05mg/kg neostigmine and 0.01mg/kg glycopyrrolate and extubation criteria met, patients were extubated and shifted to the postoperative room. RESULTS Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. p values less than0.05 were considered significant. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of age and demographic data as well as hemodynamic parameters. The VAS score at 3 and 6 hours was found to be lower in the ketorolac group. CONCLUSION Single dose intravenous ketorolac can be recommended as an effecrive and safe alternative to intravenous paracetamol for postoperative pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.