[Perioperative anti-inflammatory drug use: which evidences for their utility and safety?].

OBJECTIVE

To bring together the most recent evidences concerning the utility and safety of perioperative anti-inflammatory drug use.

DATA SOURCES

References were obtained from computerised bibliographic data banks (MeSH terms: NSAIDs, coxibs, steroids, surgery, anaesthesia), followed by manual search.

DATA SYNTHESIS

NSAIDs, coxibs and steroids used alone or in association have been demonstrated to be effective for relieving postoperative pain. However, the benefits of perioperative anti-inflammatory drug use may go beyond the postoperative analgesia. In some cases, anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to decrease the incidence of morphine side-effects, postoperative nausea and vomiting or to improve postoperative recovery. Nevertheless, NSAIDs have been found to be a risk factor of severe postoperative bleeding requiring surgical haemostasis after some surgical procedures. In contrast, coxibs have been shown to promote arterial thrombosis after others surgical procedures.