Comparison of the effect of ginger capsule and diclofenac tablet on the relief of pain following inguinal hernia surgery

Abstract

Background and aims: Postoperative pain control decreases negative effects on the health domains of the patients and their relatives in addition to reducing the costs and the duration of hospitalization. The aim of the present study was to comparatively investigate the analgesic effects of ginger and diclofenac tablets. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 80 patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery were randomly divided into two groups of 40. One group received 250 mg ginger capsule while the other one received 100 mg diclofenac tablet. Then, the patients were examined within 6 hours (every two hours) and their pain was assessed using the standard 10-point visual analogue scale. Finally, the data were analyzed using the SPSS, version 22. Results: Based on the results, there was no significant difference in pain severity between the two groups at 0, 2, 4, and 6 hours after recovery (P>0.05). In addition, no significant difference was observed in the duration of pain since the time of patient recovery between the two groups (P>0.05). Further, as regards the number of patients receiving pethidine, no difference was found between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: In general, both ginger capsule and diclofenac tablet were similarly effective in relieving the pain after inguinal hernia surgery