Comparing Opioid Vs Non Opioid Analgesics for Postoperative Pain Management in Unilateral Primary Open Inguinal Hernia Repair
Comparing Opioid Vs Non Opioid Analgesics for Postoperative Pain Management in Unilateral Primary Open Inguinal Hernia Repair
To control post-operative pain, multiple drugs are available, and in the western countries opioids are preferred. However, they have their own side effects, and so to reduce their dependence, multiple adjuncts are used. We compared the use of opioids vs just non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on post-operative pain control following inguinal hernia surgery
Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common surgeries performed by general surgeons worldwide. The preferred procedure for primary open inguinal hernias is open mesh repair (tension-free)-also called Lichtenstein repair. Opioids remain the mainstay for post-operative analgesia, however, they have a tendency for dependence along with other side effects. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSIADs) have been used as adjuncts to decrease the use of opioids, however, usually NSAIDs are not used in isolation following surgery. We compared post-operative analgesia following primary open inguinal hernia repair, with patients receiving only opioids vs patients only receiving NSAIDs. 60 patients were randomized in to 2 groups. Group A patients received tramadol injection (opioid) every 8 hours, while patients in Group B received injection ketorolac (NSAID) every 8 hourly. Pain was measured using visual analogue score at 2-, 6-, 12- and 24-hours following surgery.
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