Effect of cyclooxygenase-2-specific inhibitors on postoperative analgesia after major open abdominal surgery

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-specific medications on postoperative analgesia after major open abdominal surgery. This is was a prospective, randomized controlled, double-blind study conducted on 90 patients who underwent major open abdominal surgery between September 2011 and June 2012, in the General Surgery Department, Jinling Hospital. After written informed consent, patients were prospectively and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups before surgery, and were scheduled to receive different analgesic drugs according to randomization. We assessed the patients' pain levels using pain intensity score and adverse events during our study period. The group that received intravenous parecoxib for 3 days, and continued oral celecoxib for 4 days had better postoperative analgesia than other groups. COX-2-specific inhibitors are safe and effective in reducing postoperative pain in patients who have undergone major open abdominal surgery. Additionally, sufficient postoperative analgesia, lasting for 1 week, was necessary for patients to obtain satisfactory pain control after major open abdominal surgery.