A comparative study of efficacy of diclofenac sodium and paracetamol as rectal suppositories in post-operative pain relief in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy

Abstract

Background: Due to less compliance in children to injectables, under treatment of post-operative pain occur in a substantial percentage of children. Such pain in children may pose cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic disturbances in the immediate post operative period and anxiety, fear, and sleep disturbances in later life. Aim and Objectives: To assess and compare the analgesic efficacy of Diclofenac sodium and Paracetamol, administered as rectal suppositories, during immediate post-operative period in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 ASA grade I / II Children in the age group of 5 – 12 years admitted to undergo elective adenotonsillectomy were included in this study and allocated to two groups of 50 each. Group D patients received Diclofinac 1mg./ Kg 8th hourly and Group P received paractemol 40mg/kg bolus dose, 20mg/kg every 6th hourly suppositories for post-operative pain relief. Postoperative pain assessment was done with Objective pain scale and scoring system every 2 hours for a period of 24 hours. Results: The 4th hourly mean of the pain scores were almost the same in both the groups. Also none of the patients had a pain score of more than 5 and hence none of them received rescue analgesics. Conclusion: Diclofenac sodium and Paracetamol, administered as rectal suppositories, in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy are effective means of pain relief during immediate post-operative period. Both the drugs are equal on their analgesic efficacy.