Effect of Preoperative Oral Celecoxib on Pain Reduction in Elective Patients for Leg Surgery

Background : Acute pain intensity after surgical operation is an important predictor of the chronic post-operation pain. Thus, controlling acute pain can play an important role during the convalescence of the patient after surgery. Preemptive analgesia indicates that if controlling the pain process starts before onset of the painful process, it will be more effective than after onset of the painful process. This study was designated with regard to the importance of controlling pain and special properties of celecoxibs.
Materials and Methods : As a double-blind clinical trial, the study was conducted on 80 people who have undergone leg surgery. Patients were divided into two 40-member groups and were treated with 200 mg celecoxib or placebo two hours before surgery. The statistical blocks were used for randomization purposes. Both the patient and the person who was responsible for checking the pain intensity and opioid intake were not informed on the prescribed medicine. After the surgery was wrapped up, the patient’s pain intensity was estimated based on Visual Analog Scale (VAS) 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours after surgery. After 24 hours, the uptake amount of the consumed opoid was recorded in the information form.
Results : The difference in VAS of patents two hours after surgery was not significant statistically (p=0.2) while in celecoxib group it became significantly lower than placebo group in the hours 6 (p=0.038), 12 (p=0.037) and 24 (p=0.038) after surgery. Also pethidine intake has been significantly decreased (p=0.042) in celecoxib group compared to the placebo group.
Conclusion : Taking 200 mg celecoxib two hours before operation will decrease significantly pain intensity and opoid intake after surgery.