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Analgesic effect of intra-articular ketorolac in knee arthroscopy: comparison of morphine and bupivacaine

  • Knee
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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

This prospective study assessed the postoperative analgesic effect of intra-articular ketorolac, morphine, and bupivacaine during arthroscopic outpatient partial meniscectomy. Group 1 patients (n=20) received postoperative injection of 60 mg intra-articular ketorolac, group 2 patients (n=20) 10 cc intra-articular bupivacaine 0.25%, group 3 patients (n=20) 1 mg intra-articular morphine diluted in 10 cc saline, and group 4 patients (n=20, controls) only 10 cc saline. We evaluated the postoperative analgesic effect (period measured from the end of the surgery until further analgesia was demanded), the level of postoperative pain (by visual analog scale 1, 2, 3, 12, and 24 h after surgery), and the need for additional pain medication (during the first 24 h after surgery). The best analgesic effect was in patients treated with intra-articular ketorolac, and this was statistically significant in: postoperative analgesic effect and the need for additional pain medication immediately after surgery, and after 24 h. No complications were found related to the intra-articular treatment. We conclude that 60 mg intra-articular ketorolac provides better analgesic effect than 10 cc intra-articular bupivacaine 0.25% or 1 mg intra-articular morphine.

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Acknowledgement

We acknowledge Mr. John Bates from the Linguistic Service of the Rovira i Virgili University for revision of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopedic Surgery Service, Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Rovira i Virgili University, Mallafré Guasch 4, 43007, Tarragona, Spain

    J. Calmet, C. Esteve & J. Giné

  2. Anesthesia Service, Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Rovira i Virgili University, Mallafré Guasch 4, 43007, Tarragona, Spain

    S. Boada

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  1. J. Calmet
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  2. C. Esteve
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  3. S. Boada
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  4. J. Giné
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Correspondence to J. Calmet.

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Calmet, J., Esteve, C., Boada, S. et al. Analgesic effect of intra-articular ketorolac in knee arthroscopy: comparison of morphine and bupivacaine. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 12, 552–555 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-003-0483-3

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