Transdermal Diclofenac Patch versus Intra Muscular Diclofenac Injection for the Management of Pain in the Post Operative Patients in a Teritiary Teaching Institute

Abstract

Background: Pain management in immediate postoperative period is an extremely important but herculean task. As oral medication is not possible at this stage, it is injectable analgesia which is put to task. In countries like India, where efficacy and cost both count, intramuscular diclofenac is the most commonly employed analgesic. Methodology: The study was cross sectional by using questionnaire in 80 healthy adult subjects of either sex undergoing Hernia correction surgery under spinal anaesthesia. The subjects were assigned into two groups (Group I and Group P) by computer generated randomization table to receive intramuscular diclofenac 75mg or transdermal diclofenac patch 100mg immediately after spinal anaesthesia. The patients were monitored for pain using Visual Analogue Scale. Duration of analgesia and request for rescue analgesic (Tramadol 2mg/kg) were noted in both the groups. The study ended when patients had a VAS > 8 or at first request for analgesic. Result and Conclusion: It was concluded that if applied with proper planning, diclofenac patch was as effective as diclofenac injection but at the same time administration of patch is devoid of pain, local side effects, drug destruction by stomach and digestive enzymes and first pass metabolism in liver.