Comparison of Analgesic Effects of Post-operative Morphine, Pre-emptive and Post-operative Paracetamol in Septorhinoplasty Surgery

Background: According to previous studies, there are some different opinions on pre-emptive effects of Paracetamol in controlling post-operative pain. We aimed to compare analgesic effects of pre-emptive Paracetamol with post-operative Paracetamol and morphine in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty. Materials and Methods: One hundred six patients aged 15 to 50 were divided into 3 groups. One received 1g Paracetamol 30 minutes before operation, another group received 1g Paracetamol after surgery and the control group received 3mg morphine sulfate in recovery room after surgery. Pain severity was recorded for each patient using a 10 slot table. Any signs of nausea and vomiting (N/V) or apnea were closely observed and recorded. Patients with pain score 5 or more received 2 mg morphine intravascularly. Results: There were not any significant differences between these groups in total pain score and N/V (P>0.05). Post-operative morphine intake was significantly lower in pre-emptive group (P<0.05). None of the patients experienced apnea during this study. Conclusion: We concluded that pre-emptive Paracetamol can lower opium consumption in post-operative period but pre-emptive Paracetamol cannot reduce post-operative acute pain noticeably.