Analgesic Effects Of  Parecoxib In Neurosurgery In Patients Undergoing Lumbosacral  Herniotomy: Pilot Study.

M.A. Scafuro, M. Piccolo, G. Castellano, F. Gargano, M. Chiefari

Anesthesiological Science Department, surgical and of the Emergecies

Second University of Naples, Naples Italy

Introduction

Surgery and the postoperative period are two moments where pain assumes an important role, and the treatment of postoperative pain is crucial to establish the psychophysical integrity of the patient. The present study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the analgesic efficacy of  single intravenous (IV) doses of parecoxib in patients undergoing neurosurgery for lumbosacral hernia.

Materials And Methods

In the month of march and april 2004, after informed consent, we enrolled at the DAS of neurosurgery, Second University of Naples Italy 20 patients (12 M and 8 F) between the ages of 30 and 45 years, ASA I and II, that were randomized into two groups: the parecoxib group P and the Ketorolac group K. Both groups have been premedicated with midazolam 5 mg i.m.  30 minutes before surgery, induction with propofol  (1,5 - 2 mg/kg e.v.),  cisatracurium (0,20 mg/kg e.v.);  maintenance of anesthesia was obtained with propofol in TCI (4 - 12 mg/kg/h), remifentanil (0,05 - 1 mcg/kg/min) and cisatracurium when needed using TOF. Single doses of Parecoxib 40 mg IV was administrated to the P group, and ketorolac 30 mg IV in the K group, 15-20 minutes before the end of surgery. Blood pressure, heart rate, SpO2, EtCO2 was monitored. Pain scores (VAS 0-10 scale) were collected to evaluate post operative pain and vital signs monitored  in the immediate post-operative (T0), 30’ (T1),60’ (T2), 90’ (T3),120’ (T4), 4 – 24 hr (T5 – T11). In both groups no rescue medicine was given before T4; and only when VAS > 5   a single dose of rescue drug was given.

Results And Conclusion

In the P group blood pressure and heart rate had a constant course without any meaningful statistical variation within the 24hours. VAS score never exceeded the value of 4, and had a progressive decrease from T0 to T24. On the other side in the K group, VAS score was higher than the P group at T5, T6, T7 and T8; and rescue medicine was necessary in two patients in single dose between T7 and T8; no patients in the P group needed supplement analgesia; blood pressure and heart rate was higher only in T0 and T1 in the P group. Our experience has shown encouraging results, improved postoperative pain management, lower pain score with parecoxib, in patients that underwent lumbar sacral hernectiomy. This pilot study statistical analysis data are expressed as mean. The X2 test was used, statistical significance was set a P< 0.05. Patients in the two groups did not have any adverse reaction to the treatment, and all patients maintained hemodynamic and respiratory stability.

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