J Korean Pain Soc.  2004 Dec;17(2):212-216. 10.3344/jkps.2004.17.2.212.

Analgesic Effects of Aceclofenac in Adult Post Tonsillectomy Pain

• Lee SK
• Park SS
• Park YS
• Hwang SJ
• Song HK

• KMID: 2104857
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/jkps.2004.17.2.212

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective analgesics in post tonsillectomy patients, but NSAID therapy is known to inhibit platelet aggregation by the nonselective inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX). Recently, aceclofenac has been identified to have a COX-1 sparing effect. However, the analgesic efficacy of aceclofenac during a tonsillectomy remains unknown. Therefore, a prospective, randomized study was designed to test the efficacy and safety of aceclofenac compared with ibuprofen, the classical NSAID used in post tonsillectomy patients. METHODS: Thirty-seven adult patients, undergoing a tonsillectomy under general anesthesia, were randomized to either an ibuprofen or aceclofenac group. Patients received either oral ibuprofen (600 mg, preoperatively one time and postoperatively three times a day) or oral aceclofenac (100 mg, preoperatively one time and postoperatively twice a day). Patients recorded their pain levels at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours after the operation, and then twice daily till the 7th postoperative day, using a visual analogue scale. Post tonsillectomy hemorrhages and other side effects were recorded. RESULTS: The average pain scores were 5.3+/-1.8 and 4.6+/-1.7 in the ibuprofen and aceclofenac groups, 24 hours postoperatively, and 5.6+/-1.9 and 4.8+/-2.2 after 2 to 7 days, respectively. There were no significant differences in the pain scores between the two groups, with the exception of a transient superior pain relief 24 hours postoperatively and on the morning of the 7th day in the aceclofenac group. There were no differences in the incidences of postoperative hemorrhages and other side effects between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Aceclofenac is as effective as ibuprofen for post tonsillectomy pain control in adults, and could be an alternative to classical NSAIDs.

Keyword

aceclofenac; analgesics; ibuprofen; tonsillectomy

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Analgesics
Anesthesia, General
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
Hemorrhage
Humans
Ibuprofen
Incidence
Platelet Aggregation
Postoperative Hemorrhage
Prospective Studies
Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
Tonsillectomy*
Analgesics
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
Ibuprofen
Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases