Ketoprofen for pain after hip and knee arthroplasty

Abstract

In a double-blind, randomized study, we have compared the effects of i.v. ketoprofen 200 mg followed by 12.5 mg h-1 over 13 h, with those of extradural morphine 4 mg in 32 patients after hip and knee arthroplasty. A visual analogue scale was used to score pain before analgesic administration (first complaint after operation), 1 h after and every 2 h subsequently. Pain reduction 1 h after the start of analgesia was mean 44% (SEM 17%) in the extradural morphine group and 54% (9%) in the ketoprofen group (ns). There were no significant differences between groups in pain scores, pain reduction and additional analgesia requirement (i.v. paracetamol). Naloxone 5 μg kg-1 h-1 was required for hypercapnia exceeding 6.0 kPa in three patients in the extradural morphine group (vs none in the ketoprofen group; ns). There were no differences between groups in side effects, except for urinary retention, which was more frequent in the extradural morphine group (P < 0.05). As there were few differences between i.v. ketoprofen and extradural morphine, we conclude that ketoprofen may be an efficient alternative to extradural morphine after hip and knee arthroplasty. (Br. J. Anaesth. 1994; 72: 383-387) © 1994 British Journal of Anaesthesia.