The efficacy of intravenous ibuprofen and acetaminophen use for the treatment of postoperative pain following lumbar disc surgery: A randomized, double-blind study

Year 2025, Volume: 42 Issue: 3, 303 - 307, 30.09.2025

Fatma Alkan Bayburt , Azime Bulut , İlke Tamdoğan , Tamer Tamdoğan

Abstract

Ibuprofen is a commonly used NSAID with antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we compared the effects of IV ibuprofen and acetaminophen on post-operative pain intensity and opioid consumption after lumbar disc surgery. Patients in this study were randomized into two groups. Group I (ibuprofen group, n=35) received 800 mg IV ibuprofen; Group A (acetaminophen group, n=35) received 1000 mg IV acetaminophen. Demographic data including gender, age, ASA, BMI, anesthesia and surgery duration, PONV, LOS, VAS scores, and postoperative opioid consumption were recorded. There was no statistically significant difference in pain scores between the groups (p>0.05). The highest postoperative pain scores were similar between the groups, and VAS scores at discharge were also similar between the groups (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in total tramadol consumption over 24 hours (p>0.05). The results of this study suggest that IV ibuprofen administration after lumbar disc surgery is similar to acetaminophen in terms of postoperative pain perception and opioid consumption, and that acetaminophen can still be used as a potent analgesic.

Keywords

intravenous ibuprofen , acetaminophen , lumbar disc surgery , postoperative pain control , analgesia , anti-inflammatory agents

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