Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A prospective, randomized, comparative trial of a COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug versus placebo in inguinal herniorrhaphy patients.
The standard opioid treatment for postoperative pain can be associated with nausea, vomiting, and constipation. In addition, opioids often provide insufficient pain relief. The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative pain and functional outcomes in patients undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy who receive a COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (COX-2) or placebo preoperatively and for 4 days postoperatively. ⋯ Administration of a COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug prior to and following outpatient inguinal herniorrhaphy improves functional outcomes when compared with placebo and increases patient satisfaction. These results suggest that multimodal pain therapy with COX-2 inhibitors may have a role in outpatient inguinal hernia repair.