Ibuprofen seen as better option for pain relief in children who underwent minor orthopedic surgery

Clinically significant reductions in pain were seen in children who underwent minor outpatient orthopedic surgery and were treated with either oral morphine or ibuprofen. However, morphine use correlated with significantly more adverse effects, according to results from a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Researchers performed a randomized superiority trial in 154 children who were between 5 years and 17 years of age and who underwent minor outpatient orthopedic surgery. Children were randomized to receive two to eight doses of either oral morphine or ibuprofen every 6 hours as needed for their postoperative pain. The faces pain scale-revised was used to assess pain after the first dose of either oral morphine or ibuprofen was administered. For doses two to eight, investigators assessed analgesic requirements, adverse effects, unplanned health care visits and pain scores.

Results showed pain scores decreased with both ibuprofen and oral morphine, with no difference seen in efficacy. Investigators noted before and after the first dose of ibuprofen and oral morphine was administered, the median difference in pain score was 1. There was no significant difference seen in the median difference in pain scores before and after doses two to eight were administered among patients who were given oral morphine and those who were given ibuprofen. Significantly more adverse effects were seen in patients who were administered oral morphine (69%) vs. patients who were given ibuprofen (39%). – by Monica Jaramillo

Disclosure: The study was funded by a Schulich Research Opportunities Grant from Western University.

Published by:

Sources/Disclosures

Collapse

Source:

Poonai N, et al. CMAJ. 2017;doi:10.1503/cmaj.170017.