Comparison of preoperative and postoperative diflunisal for suppression of postoperative pain

Despite the demonstrated therapeutic advantage of preoperatively administered nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIAs) in suppressing postoperative pain, clinicians are reluctant to administer these drugs orally before surgical procedures performed using sedation or general anesthesia. Using a within-subject, crossover experimental design, this study compared the analgesic efficacies of an NSAIA, diflunisal 1,000 mg, administered either 30 minutes preoperatively or 30 minutes postoperatively to 20 patients undergoing the removal of impacted third molars. Pain intensity was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively for eight hours using category-rating and visual analog scales. Treatment with diflunisal 30 minutes after completion of surgery proved to be just as effective in suppressing postsurgical pain as presurgical administration. Administration of an NSAID in the immediate postoperative period may be indicated for optimum postoperative analgesia for patients in whom preoperative oral intake is contraindicated.