ORAL TENOXICAM FOR PERIPHERAL ORTHOPEDIC-SURGERY - A PHARMACOKINETIC STUDY

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide effective analg esia after orthopaedic surgery and reduce opioid requirements. The nee d for parenteral NSAIDs with peripheral surgery is controversial. In t his study 10 patients were treated with oral tenoxicam 20 mg preoperat ively, and at 4 hours and 28 hours after knee ligament reconstruction surgery. Plasma concentrations of tenoxicam, an NSAID with a long elim ination half-life, were measured for 10 days. All patients received pa tient-controlled intravenous morphine postoperatively, which delayed a bsorption of the second and third tenoxicam doses. However plasma conc entrations of tenoxicam were achieved and maintained for the five-day surgical admission above the level considered to produce effective ana lgesia. Oral analgesic administration is a simple and feasible option in the perioperative period.