Randomised, placebo-controlled study of the postoperative analgesic effects of ketoprofen after spinal fusion surgery

Background: The additive effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ad ministered with propacetamol after major orthopaedic surgery has not been s tudied. Thus, we performed a prospective, placebo-controlled study to asses s the analgesic effects of ketoprofen in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery and receiving propacetamol. Methods: Fifty patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery received either 10 0 mg of ketoprofen every 8 h or a placebo, post operatively. All patients r eceived propacetamol and morphine (intravenous titration followed by patien t-controlled analgesia (PCA) over 24 h). Pain was assessed using a visual a nalogue pain scale (VASpi). Data are mean+/-SD. Results: During morphine titration, ketoprofen did not significantly reduce the dose of morphine (8+/-6 vs 11+/-4 mg, NS) whereas it significantly dec reased VASpi (P<0.001). During PCA, ketoprofen significantly reduced morphi ne consumption (25+/-17 vs 38+/-20 mg, P=0.04) and VASpi (P=0.002). The tot al postoperative morphine consumption was significantly (33%) reduced with ketoprofen. Conclusion: Ketoprofen reduced morphine requirements and improved postopera tive analgesia in patients undergoing major spinal surgery and receiving pr opacetamol.