Effects of Preemptive and Preventive Intravenous Paracetamol on Postoperative Pain and Opioid Consumption in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

Background: Adequate pain control is a goal in postoperative recovery. Although opioids provide good analgesic effects, their side effects such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) limit their administration. Intravenous Paracetamol as a safe and well-tolerated drug with fewer side effects can be used instead of opioids for pain management. The aim of this study is to compare preemptive or preventive administration of paracetamol with placebo group to investigate its effects on pain control and opioid consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy. Materials and Methods: Ninety patients were randomly divided to three groups. Preemptive group received 1 gram Paracetamol in 100 milliliters of 0.9% saline 30 minutes before induction of anesthesia, the preventive group received 1 gram paracetamol in 100 milliliters of 0.9% saline before closure of the skin and placebo group just received 100 milliliters of 0.9% saline. Post-surgical pain was assessed using verbal rating scale (VRS). Pethidine 0.25 mg/kg was administered and repeated each 10 minutes to control pain as needed. Pain scores, total dose of opioid and symptoms like nausea and vomiting were recorded. Results: Preemptive and preventive groups had lower pain scores than placebo group. Opioid consumption and PONV were significantly higher in placebo group. No significant differences were observed between Preemptive and preventive groups. Conclusion: Intervenes Paracetamol can provide an adequate pain control with few side effects and may be an effective choice in management of postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy.