The analgesic effect of preoperative administration of propacetamol, tenoxicam or a mixture of both in arthroscopic, outpatient knee surgery.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, comparative study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of the preemptive use of propacetamol, tenoxicam or the combination of both in arthroscopic, outpatient surgery of the knee. One hundred patients aged 18 to 65 years, ASA 1-2, scheduled for arthroscopy were randomized to receive propacetamol 30 mg/kg i.v. (repeated after 6 hours), tenoxicam 0.5 mg/kg i.v. (max. 40 mg), the combination of both or placebo one hour prior to a standard anesthetic. There were no differences with regard to total dose opioid consumption, sedation scores and side effects in the four groups.