Acetaminophen/Codeine vs Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen for Pain Control and Patient Satisfaction After Hand Surgery

Pilot Study, Blinded Randomized Control Trial, Single Center Study to Compare Acetaminophen & Codeine Versus Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen for Pain Control and Patient Satisfaction After Ambulatory Hand Surgery

The purpose of this research study is to find out if taking Acetaminophen with Ibuprofen (e.g. Tylenol + Advil), a non-opioid regimen, provides the same type of pain relief after hand surgery compared to Acetaminophen and codeine (e.g. Tylenol 3), an opioid regimen.

Primary Objective:

To establish, through a randomized control trial, whether post-operative Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen (non-opioid regimen) would provide equivalent post-operative analgesia to ambulatory hand surgery patients compared to Acetaminophen and Codeine (opioid regimen).

Secondary Objective:

To establish whether the opioid versus non-opioid post-operative pain regimen influences patient satisfaction.

Sixty-three patients enrolled for each group (non-opioid and opioid). Approximately 145 patients will be required to achieve complete data for 63 patients in each group (assuming 15% lost to follow-up & failure to comply with study protocol).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing ambulatory hand surgery for carpal tunnel and trigger finger, under local anesthesia with or without sedation.

Exclusion Criteria:

• ASA> 3;
• Coagulopathy;
• Renal disease,
• Liver disease,
• History of recent gastro-intestinal bleeding
• Pregnancy.
• Diagnosis of chronic pain currently taking opioid pain medication or with a history of drug abuse.
• Patients with a self-described allergy to ASA, acetaminophen, NSAIDS and codeine.
• All patients receiving a brachial plexus block for anesthesia and/or analgesia