Prophylactic efficacy of intravenous paracetamol administration to reduce the incidence of post-operative ocular hypertension in dogs undergoing phacoemulsification: A pilot study.

Abstract

To determine whether intravenous administration of paracetamol can prevent postoperative ocular hypertension (POH) in dogs following routine phacoemulsification. Diabetic and non-diabetic patients (total 54 dogs) undergoing unilateral or bilateral phacoemulsification were recruited to this placebo-controlled, prospective study. The control group received 1 ml/kg saline via intravenous infusion while the treatment group received 10mg/kg paracetamol via intravenous infusion. Infusions were administered 30min prior to surgery and repeated 12h following initial administration. All patients received topical latanoprost at the conclusion of surgery. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured before premedication (baseline), and at 1h, 3h, 5h and 18 h following extubation. POH was defined as an IOP above 25 mmHg (POH25). In addition, the number of patients with an IOP exceeding 20 mmHg was analyzed (POH20). POH20 occurred in 33 of 54 animals (61.1%), including 19 of 25 animals (76.0%) in the control group and 14 of 29 animals (55.2%) in the treatment group. POH25 occurred in 23 of 44 animals (52.3%), including 13 of 25 animals (52.0%) in the control group and 10 of 29 animals (34.5%) in the treatment group. Paracetamol administration showed a significant positive effect on reducing the incidence of POH20 (p=.048), but not POH25 (p=.221). When comparing groups, treatment with paracetamol showed a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of POH20, although no differences were observed in the incidence of POH25 between groups. Further studies are warranted to explore whether alternative drug regimes or routes of administration can provide enhanced efficacy in the prevention of POH25.