ABSTRACT

In this study, analgesic efficacy of perioperatively administered iv paracetamol during ceaserean section was evaluated together with its effects on liver function tests.

ASA I-II 75 women scheduled for elective caeserean section (C/S) were randomly assigned into three groups. Following delivery of baby, patients in Group I were given 2 gr; in Group II 1 gr of paracetamol in 15 minutes. Group III patients were taken as control. Postoperative analgesia was achieved by tramadol via patient controlled analgesia (PCA). It was planned to give additional 1 gr of paracetamol doses, if VAS≥40. Pain scores with VAS, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rates (HR), respiratory frequences (RF) were recorded postoperatively at 1,2,3,4,6,8,12 and 24 hours. AST, ALT levels were reevaluated at postoperative 24th hour. Total analgesic required, adverse effects and requirement of antiemetics were recorded.

There was no significant diffrenece between groups regarding pain scores of 24 hours, MAP, RF or transaminases. HR, total required amount of tramadol, frequency of nausea-vomitting were significantly increased in group III ( p<0.05).

It’s concluded that 1 or 2 gr of paracetamol perioperatively administered during C/S decreases both total tramadol requirement and frequency of nausea-vomitting associated with tramadol consumption, without increasing the levels of transaminases. So iv paracetamol can effectively and safely be used perioperatively during C/S in order to decrease tramadol requirement for analgesia.

Keywords: Paracetamol, postoperative analgesia, cesarean, tramadol