Parecoxib vs. dexketoprofen, in combination with paracetamol as additional analgesia in patients receiving neuraxial morphine, for postoperative cesarean section pain relief: prospective randomized double-blind controlled study

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of parecoxib vs. dexketoprofen, in combination with paracetamol, as additional analgesia in patients receiving neuraxial morphine for postoperative pain relief in cesarean section. Methods: A total of 380 patients scheduled for a cesarean section received neuraxial morphine for pain management. After the procedure, they were randomized to receive, as additional analgesia, 1 g of paracetamol intravenously every 6 h in combination with either 40 mg of parecoxib intravenously every 12 h or 50 mg of dexketoprofen intravenously every 8 h. A Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used for evaluation of pain intensity at 12 and 24 h post-operative. Also, the need for additional analgesics, the time (h) required to start patient mobilization and the presence of adverse effects were recorded. Results: No statistical differences were found between groups in pain intensity, using the VAS- Pain score at 12 h [(Parecoxib vs. Dexketoprofen): 2.76(4.03) vs 2.97(4.34); p = 0.39)], at 24 h [(Parecoxib vs. Dexketoprofen): 2.47(4.62) vs 2.84(5.20); p = 0.11)] or in the need for additional analgesics at 12 h [(Parecoxib vs. Dexketoprofen): 4.21% vs 5.79%; RR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.33 to 1.77; p = 0.31)] or at 24 h [(Parecoxib vs. Dexketoprofen): 5.79% vs 4.21%; RR = 1.38, 95% CI: 0.57 to 3.34; p = 0.31)]. There were no differences in mobilization time or in the development of adverse effects. Conclusion: There are no differences concerning the effectiveness of parecoxib vs. dexketoprofen, in combination with paracetamol as additional analgesia in patients receiving neuraxial morphine, for postoperative pain relief in cesarean section. (c) 2024 Elsevier Espana, a, S.L.U. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.