Comparative efficacy of ketoprofen and diclofenac sodium for post operative pain relief

This randomised double blind study was conducted to compare the efficacy of intravenous ketoprofen 100mg and intramuscular diclofenac sodium 75 mg, in providing postoperative pain relief to 30 adult patients undergoing obstetric and gynaecological surgeries. Two doses of the study drug were administered half an hour before the end of surgery and 12 hours postoperatively respectively. A five point verbal numerical scale was used to assess pain at 1,2,4,6,8,12 & 24 hours postoperatively. Intramuscular pethidine 1.5 mgkg^-1 body weight was given as rescue analgesic at pain score of 3. Time to first rescue analgesic and number of doses of pethidine required postoperatively in first 24 hours was noted. Degree of sedation on a four point sedation score and other side effects were also recorded. Average pain score was less (1.33±0.49 vs 2.47±0.52, P<0.01) in the ketoprofen group. Time to first rescue analgesia was longer (7.33±1.09 vs 5.48±1.54, P<0.05) and number of doses of pethidine required were also less (04±0.51 vs 1.33±0.62, P<0.05) in the ketoprofen group. Patients receiving ketoprofen were more sedated (P<0.05). The two groups were comparable as regards to the side effects. Ketoprofen was found to be superior to diclofenac for providing postoperative analgesia.