Comparison the efficacy of intravenous and topical tramadol on postoperative pain control after septoplasty

Background: Tramadol hydrochloride is an analgesic drug used in the treatment of moderate or severe postoperative pain. The local anaesthtetic effects of tramadol were demonstrated in previous studies. The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of intravenous tramadol with the local application of tramadol by injection into merocel in patients undergoing septoplasty.

Materials and Methods

A prospective, randomized, controlled study included ASA I-II, 18-65 aged, 60 patients who underwent elective septoplasty.  The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (i.v) received 1mg.kg^-1 tramadol i.v. and Group 2 (Merocel®) 100 mg tramadol injected to the Merocel® nasal packs. Postoperative pain scores, nausea, vomiting and rescue analgesic drug were recorded at the first, second, fourth, sixth, twelfth and twenty fourth postoperative hours.

Results

No significant differences were found between two groups for demografic datas. There were no statistically significant differences between two groups on VAS scores, nausea-vomiting and needing rescue drug.

Conclusion

With its local effects, topical tramadol application to nasal packs seems to be comfortable approach for pain control in patients undergoing septoplasty.