Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to compare the efficacy of intravenous paracetamol and tenoxicam in the management of postoperative pain following septoplasty.

Patients and Methods: Between May 2008 and January 2009, 40 male adults (mean age 21.7 years; range 19 to 24 years) who underwent septoplasty in our clinic were included in this randomized controlled study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, including 20 in each group. Analgesia was achieved through intravenous paracetamol 1 g every six hours in the first group (paracetamol group) and intravenous tenoxicam 20 mg at a single dose within the first 24 hours in the second group (tenoxicam group). Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess the pain severity preoperatively and at 30 minutes, 1, 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively. Postoperative complications for both groups were also recorded.

Results: There was no significant difference in intraoperative pain scores between the groups (p=0.47). The VAS scores at 30 minutes (p=0.018), 1, 2 and 6 hours were significantly lower in paracetamol group, compared to tenoxicam group (p=0.0001; p=0.001; p=0.04, respectively).

Conclusion: Early postoperative moderate pain is accompanied following septoplasty. This can be prevented by using analgesics.