Analgesic effect of flurbiprofen axetil used at different time points after thoracic surgery

Objective To observe the analgesic effect of flurbiprofen axetil used at different time points in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.Methods Totally 113 thoracic patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia were divided into three groups:group 1 (n=32) was control group; group 2 (n=43) was given 50 mg flurbiprofen axetil intravenously prior to the induction of general anesthesia; and group 3 (n=38) was injected intravenously with 50 mg flurbiprofen axetil on closure of the chest. All the three groups received the same patient-controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA,containing fentanyl 1 mg,flurbiprofen axetil 200 mg,ondansetron 8 mg,diluted to 100 mL,2 mL/h) at the end of surgery. Resting hours under the visual analog scale (VAS) score≥4 divided the analgesic treatment. The VAS score≥4 after movement gave a remedial dose of painkillers(single dose 0.5 mL/time,lockout time 15 min). VAS pain score was recorded at the time of extubation (T1) and 24 h (T2),48 h (T3) of the resting hours after the surgery. The times of PCIA button press were recorded at the end of operation to 24 h and 24 to 48 h after surgery. Results Compared to group 1,the times of PCIA button press at the end of operation to 24 h and 24 to 48 h after the surgery were less in group 2 and 3 (all P0.05). VAS scores of group 2 and 3 were also lower than those of group 1 at T1 and T2 (all P0.05),and those of the group 2 was significantly lower than those of the group 3 (both P0.05). Conclusion Flurbiprofen axetil has potent analgesic effect; the best timing might be before induction combined with post-operation use.