The effect of intravenous tenoxicam on pruritus in patients receiving epidural fentanyl

In this prospective randomised study, pruritus and Cain were evaluated in p atients undergoing abdominal surgery during which epidural fentanyl was adm inistered. All patients had an epidural catheter inserted at the time of su rgery. Epidural fentanyl 180 mu g was administered intra-operatively and in fused at a concentration of 2 mu g.ml(-1) for 48 h postoperatively. All pat ients received a standard anaesthetic and, in addition, the study group had a 20 mg bolus of tenoxicam intravenously intra-operatively, Patients recei ving tenoxicam demonstrated significantly lower pruritus and Cain scores at 30 min, 2, 4, 8 and 24 h postoperatively as well as reduced pethidine requ irements for breakthrough pain in the first 24 h. In conclusion tenoxicam 2 0 mg significantly reduces the incidence and severity of postoperative prur itus in patients who received peri-operative epidural fentanyl. In addition , it significantly reduces pain and further analgesic requirements postoper atively.