Analgesic Efficacy of Diclofenac Sodium in Reducing the Total Dose of Morphine after Lumbar Disc Surgery

Background: Inadequate pain management after lumbar disc surgery may result in increasing morbidity and duration of hospital stay. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of analgesic effect of diclofenac sodium in reducing the total dose of morphine after lumbar disc surgery.

Methods: This study was conducted in Shohada Teaching Hospital. Eighty-four patients with mean age of 51.74 ± 5.76 years were included in this double blinded clinical trial study. Patients were premeditated with diclofenac sodium supposition or placebo before surgery. After surgery, patients randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: group A: diclofenac sodium supposition and group B: placebo. Visual analog scale and morphine consumption were recorded at 6 hours intervals up to 24 hours.

Results: The base line mean pain relief and nausea and urinary retention were not statistically significant between groups (P>0.05). Weakness and fatigue, dry mouth and total morphine dose were statistically different (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Premedication with diclofenac sodium supposition in the patients underwent lumbar disc surgery, can reduce total dose of morphine consumption after lumbar disc surgery and some adverse effect of morphine such as dry mouth, weakness and fatigue.