JOURNAL ARTICLE
RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Acetaminophen is highly effective in pain treatment after endoscopic sinus surgery.

Laryngoscope 2006 December
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is increasingly performed by otorhinolaryngologists. However, the early recovery and pain management after ESS is still largely unexplored. In the present study, we have evaluated the incidence and severity of pain and the efficacy and safety of acetaminophen (paracetamol) for pain management in patients undergoing ESS.

STUDY DESIGN: The authors conducted a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

METHODS: Seventy-four patients with ESS were randomized to receive either 1 g intravenous acetaminophen (Perfalgan) (n = 36) or 0.9% normal saline as a placebo (n = 38) after ESS was performed under local anesthesia. No other analgesic medication was permitted during the study. Need for rescue analgesic during the first 4 hours after surgery as well as all adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS: Most patients, 27 of 38 (71%), in the placebo group needed rescue analgesics but significantly fewer patients in the acetaminophen group required rescue analgesia, i.e., only nine of 36 (25%) patients needed oxycodone. The worst pain after surgery was also more severe in the placebo group than that in the acetaminophen group. There was no significant difference between groups in the incidence of adverse events. The most common adverse events were vomiting, nausea, and headache.

CONCLUSIONS: ESS is associated with significant postoperative pain. Acetaminophen provides adequate pain relief in most patients who have undergone ESS. However, the analgesic efficacy of acetaminophen alone is insufficient in some patients, and hence all patients with ESS must be followed closely to identify those patients in need of more efficient analgesia during the early phase of recovery.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app