Comparison of the Prophylactic Effect of Intravenous Ibuprofen and Intramuscular Piroxicam on Pain Severity after Lower Abdominal Surgery

One of the most common complications of surgery is postoperative pain that Lack of control of this pain causes complications such as ileus, pulmonary atelectasis and increased hospital stay. The goal of this clinical trial was comparison of the effect of ibuprofen and piroxicam on pain relief after lower abdominal surgery and the amount of opioid used after surgery.

In a clinical trial, 90 patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery were distributed among three groups of 30 people. First group received 1cc intramuscular piroxicam and 4cc intravenous normal saline, second group received 4cc intravenous ibuprofen and 1cc intramuscular normal saline and third group received 1cc intramuscular and 4cc intravenous normal saline. Pain intensity after full consciousness and at 2, 8, 12 and 24 hours after surgery, the amount of opioid used in the first 24 hours and patients' satisfaction with pain relief after 24 hours were recorded.

The mean of pain intensity at 2 (P = 0.016), 8 (P < 0.001) and 12 hours (P = 0.018) after surgery in the three groups was significantly different but the pain intensity, after consciousness (P = 0.605) and at 24 hours (P = 0.331) was not significantly different between three groups. The amount of consumed opioid was significantly different between three groups (P < 0.001).

Ibuprofen and piroxicam are effective in reducing postoperative pain and opioid consumption after lower abdominal surgery but their effects are not different.