• Muhammad Asghar Ali and Shahla Siddiqui.
• Aga Khan University, Karachi. asghar.ashraf@aku.edu
• J Pak Med Assoc. 2013 Apr 1;63(4):432-5.

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of different methods used to alleviate tourniquet pain in operating rooms as well as assess their effect on post-operative pain.MethodsThe study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from June to August 2010. All patients who came for elective orthopaedic surgery in whom a tourniquet application was planned were included in the study. Information was collected through a pre-designed data form. Qualitative data was expressed as mean +/- standard deviation, while qualitative data was presented as frequency and percentage.ResultsIn the 106 patients studied, opioids were administered in 90 (85%) cases, paracetamol in 73 (69%) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 11 (10.4%) cases. Efficacy was determined by means of the effect on the blood pressure and heart rate of the patient before and after the drug administration. Intravenous paracetamol was found to be the most effective in reducing both blood pressure and heart rate (p < 0.001).The effect on post-operative pain was insignificant.ConclusionsIntravenous paracetamol is a cost-effective and safe analgesic, especially when combined with a multi-modal regimen, and has potential effect on the alleviation of tourniquet pain.

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