The Effectiveness of Indomethacin Skin PAP for Acute Renal Colic

Abstract

Renal colic is usually painful and associated with nausea or vomiting. From April to July 1994, 80 patients with acute renal colic were enrolled in this study on arriving our emergency room. They were divided into four groups randomly and treated with different protocols. Group 1 of 19 cases were treated with intravenous normal saline alone, group 2 of 12 cases were treated with intravenous normal saline plus oral administration of indomethacin and buscopan, group 3 of 23 cases were treated with intravenous normal saline plus intramuscular injection of merperidine and atropine, and group 4 of 26 cases were treated with intravenous normal saline and indomethacin skin PAP. The severity of pain was classified into six grades from pain-free grade 1 to grade 6 with intolerable pain. Questionnaire was taken on pain score and frequency of nausea and/or vomiting before and after treatment. The result showed no significant difference in pain relief and frequency of nausea and/or vomiting among each group. In conclusion, current indomethacin skin RAP formula and application is not truly effecitive in relieving acute renal colic. Futher study with modification of the component of skin PAP or increased dosage and application time should be conducted.