Comparison of efficacy of oral rofecoxib and ketorolac in controlling early postoperative outpatient orthopedic surgical pain

Abstract

We compared the efficacy of rofecoxib and ketorolac in controlling postoperative pain after outpatient surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either rofecoxib or ketorolac preoperatively and every morning for 5 postoperative days. Patients in both groups received oxycodone as needed for breakthrough pain. After 5 postoperative days, patients were asked for information-pain score; number of supplemental analgesics used; and severity of any incision-site bleeding, nausea, or diarrhea. Rofecoxib and ketorolac did not differ on these measures. Rofecoxib and ketorolac are equally effective in controlling postoperative pain.