IBUPROFEN IN THE TREATMENT OF POSTOPERATIVE PAIN IN SMALL CHILDREN - A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND-PLACEBO CONTROLLED PARALLEL-GROUP STUDY

The efficacy of ibuprofen as a pre-emptive analgesic for postoperative pain was investigated in 81 children in the age between one and four years subjected to elective surgery. The patients were randomized into two groups receiving rectally either ibuprofen 40 mg.kg(-1).d(-1), di vided into four equal doses, or placebo in a double blind manner. Addi tional pain relief was provided by morphine. In the recovery room ibup rofen provided superior pain relief during the first hour and signific antly reduced the need of morphine. Heart rate and arterial blood pres sure were lower in children who received ibuprofen, probably reflectin g better analgesia. The side effects were mild and similar in both gro ups. We conclude that rectal ibuprofen is a safe analgesic in children in the age between 1 and 4 years and reduces the need of opioids for postoperative pain relief.