Anesth Pain Med.  2014 Apr;9(2):110-114.

Postoperative pain and side effects after thyroidectomy: randomized double blind study comparing nefopam and ketorolac

• Yoo B
• Kwon JY
• Hwang BY
• Hong JM
• Kim TK
• Kim HK

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Nefopam is a centrally acting, non-opioid analgesic drug used to reduce opioid consumption and so reduce the prevalence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study compared and assessed the effects of nefopam and ketorolac on postoperative pain and PONV after thyroid surgery.
METHODS
Two hundred patients underwent total thyroidectomy with central compartment neck dissection in our hospital during a 5 month enrollment period. Group N and Group T was administered nefopam 20 mg and ketorolac 30 mg, respectively, during the last 30 minutes of surgery. Pain was measured using a 10-point numerical rating scale. Pain scores and PONV were assessed 30 min, 1, 6, and 24 h postoperatively.
RESULTS
Pain scores and episodes of vomiting and shivering did not differ significantly between the two groups. Group N patients experienced fewer episodes of nausea at 30 min, 1 h and 6 h after the operation.
CONCLUSIONS
Nefopam and ketorolac are similarly effective in reducing postoperative pain after thyroid surgery. Postoperative nausea was less in Group N patients within 6 h postoperatively, especially 1 h. Nefopam is favored for pain management after thyroidectomy.

Keyword

Ketorolac; Nausea; Nefopam; Postoperative pain; Vomiting

MeSH Terms

Double-Blind Method*
Humans
Ketorolac*
Nausea
Neck Dissection
Nefopam*
Pain Management
Pain, Postoperative*
Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
Prevalence
Shivering
Thyroid Gland
Thyroidectomy*
Vomiting
Ketorolac
Nefopam