Intramuscular diclofenac sodium for postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomised, controlled trial.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the surgical treatment of choice for symptomatic gallstones. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs offer effective analgesia, avoiding the central side effects of opiate drugs. To assess intramuscular diclofenac sodium (Voltarol; Ciba-Geigy) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 55 consecutive patients (41 female; 14 male; mean age: 50 years) were randomised to receive either diclofenac or placebo in double-blind fashion. Six patients were withdrawn from study (three conversions to open cholecystectomy; three incomplete documentation). Pain scores were assessed at 4, 24, and 48 h using a linear analogue scale; opiate consumption and time to first oral fluid and food were recorded. In 26 patients receiving diclofenac, median scores at 4 h were 1.6 (range 0-7.6) as compared with 4.1 (range 0-7.6) in 23 control patients (p = 0.05, 95% confidence limits 3.2, 0; Mann-Whitney U test). Nausea scores, return to diet, and time to discharge did not differ significantly between the groups. Intramuscular diclofenac significantly reduces early postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and is worthy of consideration if the procedure were ever undertaken as day case surgery.