Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pain management is critical to reduce mortality and morbidity. OBJECTIVE: In this research, the injection of two drugs, Apotel and Ketorolac, as well as the amount of narcotic consumption 24 hours after the operation, were compared to reduce pain after abdominal surgery. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized trial, 128 patients candidates for abdominal surgery were divided into two groups of 64 people, receiving either Apotel or Ketorolac. The intensity of pain (visual analog scale) and the amount of narcotic intake were evaluated in patients after surgery, 6, 12 and 24 hours later. The data was analyzed by SPSS version 26. RESULTS: Patients who received Apotel reported significantly lower pain scores at 6 hours (p < 0.001) and 24 hours (p < 0.001) after surgery compared to the ketorolac group. The mean 24-hour pain scores were 3.6 in the group receiving Apotel and 4.3 in the group receiving ketorolac. The mean intake of narcotics was also in the group receiving Apotel (51.1 mg) and in the ketorolac group (62.8 mg, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: The administration of Apotel before surgery was associated with more pain relief and less narcotic consumption in patients, and it seems that the use of this drug combination is more effective than the administration of Ketorolac in patients who are candidates for abdominal surgery for postoperative control.Clinical trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier is IRCT20230911059408N1.