Publication:

Comparison of single dose transdermal patches of diclofenac and ketoprofen for postoperative analgesia in lower limb orthopaedic surgery

Background Transdermal patch is a very simple and painless method for providing postoperative analgesia. The aim of the study was to compare the  efficacy and safety of transdermal patch of ketoprofen in comparison to diclofenac patch for postoperative analgesia. It is a randomized single blind study.

Methods Sixty patients were randomly allocated to receive either ketoprofen or diclofenac patch at the end of surgery under spinal anaesthesia. Statistical analyses used, data were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences version 15.0.

Results In diclofenac group the post-operative VAS was 2.4±0.72 and in ketoprofen group, post-operative VAS was 1.4±0.3 which was significantly low when compared to group D (p<0.05 value). 11 patients in group D and 3 patients in group K required rescue analgesia (Inj. tramadol) in the first 24 hours which was statically significant (p<0.05).

Conclusions Both ketoprofen and diclofenac transdermal patch are effective for postoperative analgesia but less number of patients required rescue analgesic in ketoprofen group.