Evaluation of diclofenac sodium as a perioperative analgesic

1. This study was undertaken to assess whether the analgesia conferred by Diclofenac sodium in the post operative period following general surgery is enhanced by preoperative administration of the drug. 2. Two groups of patients were studied. Group I patients received narcotic premedication and Group II patients received Diclofenac sodium as premedication. Post operatively both groups were administered intramuscular Diclofenac sodium 8 hourly for 48 hours. 3. Pain scoring using visual analogue scale indicated a better pain relief in Group II patients. In Group I, 75% patients had a pain score less than 3 whereas 85% in Group II had a pain score less than 3 (Figure 1). 4. Pulmonary function tests were done 24 hours after surgery and revealed improved values of all parameters in Group II patients. This indicates a greater degree of analgesia in Group II patients. 5. Preoperative administration of the drug reduces the initiation of pain in the periphery and decreases the inflammatory response after surgery. 6. NSAIDS do not have any central effect or any respiratory depression. Patients in our study were found to be awake, cooperative and pain free. The additional analgesia conferred by preoperative administration in conjunction with adequate postoperative therapy allows us to recommend Diclofenac sodium as a sole analgesic for perioperative pain relief except in those patients with a bleeding diathesis.