Evaluation of a Single Dose Intravenous Paracetamol for Pain Relief After Maxillofacial Surgery: A Randomized...

The aim of this study was to evaluate, using a single dose of intravenous paracetamol, pain relief after maxillofacial surgery.

This is a controlled, randomized, uni- blind, clinical trial study to evaluate using a single dose of IV paracetamol for pain relief after maxillofacial surgery. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups with 40 subjects in each: group I received paracetamol (Apotel)* as a single dose and group II received placebo. Subjects were randomly allocated according to randomization lists. Paracetamol was used as a single dose (20 mg/kg in 100 cc of normal saline which was infused for 10 min after surgery in recovery room just before discharging). We used a visual analogue scale to investigate pain relief at various times.

Analysis of the data, did not show any significant difference for age, sex and weight between the treatment group and the control group. Pain decreased 6 h after paracetamol infusion; then it increased mildly. In the control group, pain severity increased after operation, then it decreased mildly. Results showed a correlation between duration of surgery and pain severity in both the groups.

Paracetamol is effective on pain relief after maxillofacial surgeries. Operation time may be an important factor for induction of pain after the surgeries.