Efficacy of parecoxib sodium for prevention of post-thoracotomy pain syndrome

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of parecoxib sodium for prevention of post-thoracotomy pain syndrome.Methods Ninety ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients,aged 40-64 yr,weighing 50-80 kg,scheduled for elective thoracotomy,were equally and randomly divided into 3 groups using a random number table:control group (group C) and two different treatments with parecoxib sodium groups (P1 and P2 groups).At 20 min before skin incison,parecoxib sodium 40 mg was injected intravenously in P1 and P2 groups,while the equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.An increment of parecoxib sodium 40 mg was given every 12 h for 6 times after surgery in group P2.General anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia was used during surgery and patient-controlled epidural analgesia was used for postoperative analgesia in the three groups.Morphine was used as rescue analgesic to maintain VAS score ≤ 3.The consumption of morphine within 72 h after operation,development of adverse effects and development and duration of pain (VAS score ＞ 3) within 6 months after operation were recorded.The blood coagulation was measured at 72 h after operation.Results Morphine was not used within 72 h after operation in P2 group.The abnormality of blood coagulation at 72 h after operation was not observed in the three groups.Compared with group C,no significant changes were found in the incidence and duration of pain within 6 months after operation in P1 group (P ＞ 0.05),the incidence of pain was significantly decreased and duration of pain was shortened within 6 months after operation in P2 group,and the incidence of nausea,vomiting and pruritus was decreased in P1 and P2 groups (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).The incidence of nausea,vomiting and pruritus was significantly lower in P2 group than in P1 group (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Continuous application of parecoxib sodium for 72 h can decrease the development of post-thoracotomy pain syndrome without increasing the incidence of adverse effects. Key words: Cyclooxygenase inhibitors; Pain,postoperative; Thoracotomy