Preemptive Paracetamol for Postoperative Pain

Preemptive Paracetamol for Postoperative Pain: a Randomised, Double-blind, Two Way Crossover Trial

The purpose of this study is to test whether a dose of paracetamol given before surgical incision is more effective at reducing postoperative pain and analgesic consumption in cervical spine surgery versus a dose given at the end of surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18-80 years old
• Patients listed for non-malignant cervical spinal surgery
• General anaesthesia
• Capacity to give informed consent
• Ability to use PCA device and pain score scale
• ASA I, II and III
• >50kg in weight

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy or sensitivity to paracetamol, proparacetamol or morphine
• Liver disease
• Renal disease (creatinine clearance <30ml/min)
• Bleeding disorder
• Chronic alcoholism
• Chronic malnutrition
• Dehydration
• G6PD deficiency
• Hypernatraemia (Na >150)
• Hypokalaemia (K <3.5) and hyperchloraemia
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding