IV TENOXICAM FOR ANALGESIA DURING CESAREAN-SECTION

We have studied the analgesic efficacy of a single i.v. dose of tenoxicam 20 mg, given 10 min before induction of anaesthesia in 25 patients undergoing elective Caesarean section. Another group of 25 similar patients served as controls. Nalbuphine consumption in the first 24 h after operation was reduced by 50% when tenoxicam was given. The median time to first request far analgesia was increased from 25 to 110 min in the tenoxicam group. Subjective experiences of pain and sedation were significantly greater in the control group up to 24 h after operation. The haemodynamic variability after intubation was of shorter duration in the tenoxicam group. There was no significant difference in incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting between the two groups. The surgeon's assessment of uterine relaxation and bleeding, using a visual analogue score, and infant well-being, as judged by Apgar score and cord blood-gas analysis, showed no significant difference between the two groups. There was no evidence of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus or pulmonary hypertension. We conclude that a single i.v. dose of tenoxicam is a useful pretreatment to minimize the haemodynamic variability of tight general anaesthesia at induction-delivery and in reducing 24 h postoperative opioid consumption.