• Raymond S Sinatra, Judith A Boice, Tom L Loeys, Amy T Ko, Maureen M Kashuba, Jonathan S Jahr, Steven Rhondeau, Neil Singla, Paul F Cavanaugh, Alise S Reicin, and Protocol 159 Study Group.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8051, USA. raymond.sinatra@yale.edu
• Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2006 Mar 1;31(2):134-42.

Background And ObjectivesIn this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, the efficacy and safety of rofecoxib 50 mg was evaluated in patients undergoing major abdominal gynecologic surgery.MethodsPatients were randomized to receive rofecoxib 50 mg (n = 81) or placebo (n = 83) approximately 2 hours before total abdominal hysterectomy or myomectomy and once daily over the ensuing 4 days. Clinical measurements included average daily opioid use over the 5-day period (primary endpoint), pain intensity on movement, and opioid-related side effects.ResultsPatients receiving rofecoxib required 32% less (P = .001) intravenous and oral opioids to relieve their postoperative pain from days 1 to 5 (primary endpoint), used 21% less (P = .011) on day 1, and 42% less (P < .001) from days 2 to 5. The rofecoxib group experienced less pain upon movement (P < .001), less sedation (P = .007), and a 24% reduction in the rate of antiemetic intake (P = .037) over the first 72 hours postsurgery. Earlier mean times to first flatus (-10.1 hours, P = .001), first bowel movement (-14.1 hours, P = .037), and time to hospital discharge (-10.9 hours; 95% confidence interval, -17.1 to -4.7) occurred in the rofecoxib group. There were no significant intergroup differences in blood loss, wound healing, or overall adverse experiences.ConclusionsCompared with placebo, perioperative administration of rofecoxib 50 mg provided significant opioid sparing, significantly better pain control, improved clinical outcomes, and was well tolerated.

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