The effects of intravenous dexketoprofen on postoperative analgesia and morphine consumption in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy

Objectives: Dexketoprofen trometamol is a water-soluble salt of the dextrorotatory enantiomer of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intravenous dexketoprofen on postoperative pain. Methods: This study was performed on 50 (ASA I-II) patients scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy. Fifty patients were randomized into two equal groups. Patients received saline solution (Group I) or 50 mg intravenous dexketoprofen (Group II) 1 hour (h) before surgery and 8-16 h after surgery. All patients received a standard anesthetic protocol. At the end of surgery, all patients received intravenous (IV) morphine via a PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) device. Pain scores were assessed at 2, 6, 12 and 24 h after surgery. Morphine consumption and adverse effects were noted during the first 24 h after the surgery. The pain scores were significantly lower in the dexketoprofen group compared with the control group (p<0.05). Results: The cumulative morphine consumption was also lower in the dexketoprofen group than the control group (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in adverse effects between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: We conclude that the administration of IV dexketoprofen provided a significant analgesic benefit and decreased the morphine requirements in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy.