EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS DICLOFENAC OR INDOMETHACIN ON THE EMERGENCE FROM ANESTHESIA FOR TONSILLECTOMY

We evaluated the effects of a single dose of diclofenac (75 mg) or ind omethacin (50 mg) on intraoperative events and on the early recovery p hase. The study was performed in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-c ontrolled fashion in 63 adult patients scheduled for elective tonsille ctomy. Study infusions started intravenously immediately after the ind uction of general anaesthesia with thiopentone; maintenance was with N 2O/O2 and halothane. After intubation with the aid of suxamethonium, t he patients breathed spontaneously via a Bain coaxial system. Perioper ative events (bleeding tendency, bleeding, need for pain medication, p hysical recovery) were recorded with the aid of a questionnaire applie d to the anaesthesia nurses and estimation of vigilance, attention, co ncentration, short-term memory, and simple motor speed during recovery was with the aid of three neuropsychological tests (thumb tapping tes t, digit span test and homogenic interference test). No significant di fferences between the three groups were found in systolic and diastoli c arterial pressures, the results of the questionnaire, and those of t he neuropsychological tests. The ability to keep the head elevated for at least 5 s recovered significantly later (P<0.05) and heart rate le vels in the indomethacin group were significantly lower (P<0.001) than in the other two groups. No enhanced bleeding during the perioperativ e period was observed. Diclofenac and indomethacin in the doses used i n our study have only a marginal effect on the patient's emergence fro m anaesthesia.