Comparing Ketorolac With Ibuprofen for Postoperative Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Area of Science:

• Urogynecology
• Pain Management
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Postoperative pain control is crucial for patient recovery and satisfaction.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used for pain management.
• Comparing different NSAIDs for specific surgical populations is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare pain perception and satisfaction with pain control between intravenous ketorolac and ibuprofen in urogynecologic surgery patients.
• To evaluate the efficacy of these NSAIDs in managing postoperative pain.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 224 urogynecologic surgical patients.
• Patients received either intravenous ketorolac or ibuprofen postoperatively.
• Pain was assessed using visual analog scales (VAS) for pain at rest and with ambulation, and satisfaction with pain control was measured. Postoperative opioid use was also recorded.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in pain scores at rest or with ambulation were observed between the ketorolac and ibuprofen groups (P = 0.20 and P = 0.57, respectively).
• Patient satisfaction with pain control was similar between the two groups (P = 0.50).
• Opioid consumption was comparable, with an average of 3.68 mg hydromorphone for ketorolac and 4.04 mg for ibuprofen (P = 0.58).
• A subgroup analysis revealed that patients who underwent laparotomy and received ketorolac experienced significantly less pain at rest (VAS, 2.77 vs 4.88; P = 0.04) and greater satisfaction (VAS, 1.69 vs 4.67; P = 0.003).

Conclusions:

• Intravenous ketorolac and ibuprofen provide comparable pain relief and satisfaction for patients undergoing various urogynecologic surgeries.
• Ketorolac may be a more effective option for pain management in patients who have undergone laparotomy, leading to decreased pain and increased satisfaction.