[Sodium naproxen in postoperative pain in orthopedics. Comparison of 2 different doses]

In order to use etiopathogenetic criteria for the treatment of postsurgical pain, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used rather than narcotic analgesics. These agents are often classified as peripherally acting analgesic drugs; nevertheless in the last years many pages have who showed a central supraspinal analgesic effect. Sodium naproxen is commonly used in the treatment of postoperative orthopedic pain because of its pharmacokinetic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitable dosage of sodium naproxen for post-surgical pain relief. Forty patients submitted to foot surgery were randomized into two groups of 20 patients each. At the end of surgery one group of patients (group I) received sodium naproxen 275 mg i.m.; the same dose was administered after 12 hours. A second group (group II) received sodium naproxen 550 mg i.m. at the same time intervals. Based on a Descriptive scale for algometric measurements, the results showed significant differences in analgesic activity for the two treatments. The best results (70% of patients with no pain or slight pain vs 20% of patients) were obtained in the group that received sodium naproxen at the higher dosage (p less than 0.001). No differences were observed in the incidence of side-effects in the two groups. These results are discussed.