COMPARISON OF DICLOFENAC SODIUM AND MORPHINE-SULFATE FOR POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA AFTER DAY-CASE INGUINAL-HERNIA SURGERY

Postoperative pain may be a significant reason for delayed discharge f rom hospital, increased morbidity and reduced patient satisfaction wit h ambulatory hernia surgery. This study compared two postoperative ora l analgesic protocols after day case inguinal hernia repair; 30 mg mor phine sulphate (MST) and 10 mg metoclopramide every 8 h for 48 h or 75 mg diclofenac twice daily for 48 h. The pain reported in the MST grou p was significantly greater on both the day of operation and the first postoperative day (P<0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). A significantly high er proportion of patients taking MST complained of nausea on the day o f operation and on the Ist postoperative day (P < 0.05, chi(2)). The t ime taken to walk, dress and leave home alone were achieved in a signi ficantly shorter duration in patients taking diclofenac. We conclude t hat diclofenac provides effective analgesia, has a more acceptable sid e-effect profile than morphine sulphate and is the treatment of choice after ambulatory hernia surgery.