NORMAL POSTOPERATIVE GASTRIC-EMPTYING AFTER ORTHOPEDIC-SURGERY WITH SPINAL-ANESTHESIA AND IM KETOROLAC AS THE FIRST POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIC

We have assessed the effect of i.m. ketorolac or morphine on early pos toperative gastric emptying of liquids in patients undergoing orthopae dic surgery with spinal anaesthesia. Liquid gastric emptying was measu red by absorption of paracetamol with patients acting as their own con trols. There was no delay after ketorolac 30 mg, but morphine 10 mg re sulted in marked delay. There was no difference in postoperative visua l analogue pain scores between treatments.