Systemic piroxicam as an adjunct to patient-controlled analgesia with alfentanil for postoperative pain relief

Abstract

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, piroxicam, in combination with alfentanil given in a patient-controlled analgesia system, was compared with alfentanil alone given by the same route for analgesic effect, side effects and acute phase over a 4-day period following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the knee. The patients receiving piroxicam had a lower pain score and consumed less alfentanil. There were no differences with regard to side effects between the two treatment groups, apart from significantly more sedation at 08.00 h on the first postoperative day in the non-piroxicam group. Piroxicam did not influence the levels of interleukin-6 or the acute phase response to surgery.