POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA IN DENTAL DAY-CASE SURGERY - A COMPARISON BETWEEN FELDENE MELT (PIROXICAM) AND DICLOFENAC SUPPOSITORIES

A randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted to c ompare the analgesic efficacy of piroxicam as Feldene 'Melt' with dicl ofenac suppositories following day case wisdom tooth extraction. Pirox icam was found to be equivalent to diclofenac in speed of onset and ef ficacy when given 1 h prior to surgery with no significant adverse eff ects. It is therefore possible to confer the benefits of postoperative analgesia from a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug whilst avoiding the inconvenience of the rectal route of administration.