Chethan Koteswara M, and Sumesh Murali
The purpose of the study was to compare the pre-emptive analgesic effect of two preoperative intravenous doses of paracetamol in total abdominal hysterectomy and the amount of reduction in postoperative opioid consumption. A total of 51patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomies were enrolled into the study. Patients were randomized into two groups: in Group I (25 patients) intravenous paracetamol 1 g was given 15 minutes prior to induction. In Group II (26 patients), intravenous paracetamol 2 g was given 15 minutes prior to induction. Postoperatively, all patients received morphine via patient-controlled analgesia pump. Pain scores were assessed with visual analogue scale. Total morphine consumption and side effects were recorded. Visual analogue scale pain score, in the immediate postoperative period and cumulative morphine consumption, in the first six hours were significantly reduced in group II. The total morphine consumption over 24 hours was similar in both the groups. The length of hospital stay was reduced in group II.To conclude, in total abdominal hysterectomy, compared to pre-emptive intravenous paracetamol 1 g,intravenous paracetamol 2 g provided better quality postoperative analgesia in the immediate postoperative period, early discharge rates, with no change in total 24 hour consumption of morphine.