[Combined analgesia in early periods after cardiosurgical operations]

The analgesic efficacy of a combination of two analgesic agents (zaldiar and xefocam) was evaluated in 40 patients in the early period after cardiosurgical operations. In Group 1 including 20 patients, analgesia was made with xefocam, 8 mg, every 12 hours. Group 2 received xefocam, 8 mg, twice daily and zaldiar as 2 tablets every 6 hours within the first 24 hours, then as 1 tablet every 6 hours. The intensity of pain was rated according to the verbal scale. Stimulating spirometry was applied to all the patients after extubation. A volumetric spirometer was used to measure the maximum inspiratory lung capacity. The administration of zaldiar and xefocam provides an effective analgesia that permits avoidance or a considerable reduction in the use of potent opioids in the early period after cardiosurgical operations. Stimulating spirometry may be used to evaluate the efficiency of analgesia when patients begin breathing spontaneously after cardiosurgical operations.