European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Postoperative pain may be a significant reason for delayed discharge from
hospital, increased morbidity and reduced patient satisfaction. Nowadays opioids are the
mainstay in the treatment of acute postoperative pain. Pethidine is an opioid.But opioids
produce side effects like nausea, vomiting, sedation, pruritis, respiratory depression.
Diclofenac is a non-selective NSAIDs with good tissue permeability. NSAIDs are particularly
Effectiveincasesofsomaticinflammatorypain.
Objectives: We conducted this study to compare the efficacy of Injection pethidine and
Injection diclofenac as an analgesic for post-operative patients undergoing Hysterectomy.
Methods: This was an open-label prospective study that included 60 female patients
undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgeries aged 20 years and above. Randomly allocated 30
patients were given Pethidine 50 mg IM three times a day and the rest 30 patients were given
Diclofenac 75mg IV two times a day. Post-operative pain scores were recorded using the
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 6,12,24and 48 hrs. Statistical analysis was done using unpaired
t-test.
Results: The mean pain score was found less in the diclofenac group compared to the
pethidine group at all intervals by VAS (p<0.05). Nausea and dizziness were more commonly
reportedinthepethidinegroup.
Conclusion: Diclofenac provides effective and better analgesia in acute post-lowerlimb
orthopedic surgery pain than pethidine with fewer adverse effects.