Pain relief after tonsillectomy in adults: intramuscular diclofenac and papaveretum compared

A wide variety of surgical and pharmacological methods have been described in an attempt to reduce pain after tonsillectomy, with conflicting results. Opiates are still widely used, despite unwanted side-effects. Recently the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to be effective against a variety of post-operative pains. Diclofenac is effective in both children and adults in the relief of pain after tonsillectomy when administered rectally, but absorption is variable, and suppositories are not widely accepted in the UK. The present double-blind study compared a single intramuscular dose of diclofenac with papaveretum in adults undergoing tonsillectomy. Post-operatively, the patients who received diclofenac had less pain and started drinking significantly sooner than the control group. There were no undesirable side-effects. Intramuscular diclofenac is superior to papaveretum in the relief of pain in adults undergoing tonsillectomy.