AN OUTCOME STUDY OF PATIENT-CONTROLLED MORPHINE ANALGESIA, WITH OR WITHOUT KETOROLAC, FOLLOWING RADICAL RETROPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY

Purpose: We compared the effects of postoperative pain control strateg ies on recovery after radical retropubic prostatectomy. Materials and Methods: The results in 22 consecutive patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy between 1993 and 1994 were evaluated. Pain co ntrol was achieved using morphine patient-controlled analgesia in 11 p atients or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory ketorolac in 11. Outcome mea sures were compared between the 2 groups. Results: The interval to ret urn of bowel function, length of hospitalization and total hospital co sts were significantly decreased in the ketorolac treated patients. Co nclusions: Pain control with ketorolac affords excellent analgesia whi le allowing for earlier recovery of bowel function, shorter hospitaliz ation and lower overall costs in patients undergoing radical retropubi c prostatectomy.