A Pilot Study to Determine the Efficacy of Intravenous Ibuprofen for Pain Control Following Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

A Pilot Study to Determine the Efficacy of Intravenous Ibuprofen for Pain Control Following Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

The intent of this study is to assess the analgesic efficacy of IV ibuprofen when administered at induction of anesthesia. Results from this pilot study will be used to design and determine the appropriate statistical power for a larger, multi-center randomized study.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) are an effective adjunct to opioid analgesia for moderate-severe pain, with improvement in the quality of pain relief and consistent evidence of opioid dose sparing. NSAIDs alone could provide effective analgesia post-surgery when mild-moderate pain is expected. There is also evidence that the use of NSAIDs, by avoiding or decreasing the need for opioids, can lead to a reduction in the incidence of adverse events which are commonly attributed to, or exacerbated by, opioids.

The intent of this study is to assess the analgesic efficacy of IV ibuprofen when administered at induction of anesthesia. Results from this pilot study will be used to design and determine the appropriate statistical power for a larger, multi-center randomized study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients scheduled for knee arthroscopy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inadequate intravenous (IV) access.
• History of allergy or hypersensitivity to any component of ibuprofen or other NSAIDs, aspirin (or aspirin related products), opioids or cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) inhibitors.
• Less than 18 years of age.
• Use of analgesics less than 8 hours prior to surgery.
• Patients with active, clinically significant anemia.
• History or evidence of asthma or heart failure.
• Pregnant.
• Recent history of chronic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or opioid use.
• Inability to understand the requirements of the study, be willing to provide written informed consent (as evidenced by signature on an informed consent document approved by an Institutional Review Board [IRB]), and agree to abide by the study restrictions and to return for the required assessments.
• Refusal to provide written authorization for use and disclosure of protected health information.