Comparison of lornoxicam and tramadol administrations for postoperative pain in lumbar disk surgery

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to compare the efficacy and side effects of lornoxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug , and a weak opioid derivative, tramadol hydrochloride, for postoperative analgesia following lumbar discectomy operation.

Materials and methods: Fifty-six American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status 1-2 patients were randomly allocated into three groups: Group 1 was administered 8 mg IV lornoxicam, Group 2 16 mg IV lornoxicam, and Group 3 100 mg IV tramadol. In order to evaluate efficacy of the drugs, Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), pain intensity difference (PID), pain relief (PAR), mean blood pressure values, and side effects that developed were documented at 15, 30, and 45 minutes, and 1, 2 ,3 ,4 ,6, 12, and 24 hours into treatment.

Results: Demographic data was similar among all groups. In patients who were administered 8 mg lornoxicam, the time until first demand for analgesia was significantly lower (p<0.01). Mean VRS values of these patients were higher compared to other groups (p<0.05). In the postoperative period nausea and vomiting was observed in 35% of the patients in the tramadol group.

Conclusion: It was observed that, in the treatment of postoperative pain, 8 mg lornoxicam was insufficient and that 16 mg lornoxicam was as effective as tramadol 100 mg, but had shorter duration of action. Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, sedation and bradycardia were more common in tramadol compared to lornoxicam.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.