Preemptive randomized, double-blind study with lornoxicam in gynecological surgery

Aim. Lornoxicam is a non opioid analgesic belonging to the oxicam group. The aim of this study was to determine whether lornoxicam has a preemptive analgesic effect. Methods. This study was carried out in a randomized, double-blind fashion with 66 patients divided into three groups undergoing gynecological operations. Group I was administered 8 mg of lornoxicam i.v. preoperatively followed by an 8-mg bolus every 8 h for a total dose of 24 mg in the first 24 h. Group II was administered 8 mg of lornoxicam i.v. bolus before the end of the operation followed by 8 mg every 8 h for a total dose of 24 mg in the first 24 h. Group III was administered placebo before and after the operation and for the first 24 h. The effectivity was assessed postoperatively using the visual analogue scale (at rest, on exertion) and by calculating the total analgesic consumption of morphine hydrochloride in the first 24 h following operation. Vital signs and side effects were documented. Results. Groups I and II demonstrated significantly reduced pain scores compared to group III at various points in time. Group I also demonstrated a weakly significant reduction in analgesic consumption of morphine hydrochloride postoperatively compared to groups II and III. Conclusion. Lornoxicam administered preemptively appears to improve the quality of postoperative analgesia and lead to reduced consumption of opioid analgesics postoperatively in patients undergoing gynecological operations.