Ophthalmology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Ketorolac versus acetaminophen or ibuprofen in controlling postoperative pain in patients with strabismus.
Ketorolac is a new, parenteral, nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory agent. The authors compare the effectiveness of a single intravenous dose of ketorolac with a single oral dose of either acetaminophen or ibuprofen in controlling postoperative pain in patients with strabismus. ⋯ Intravenous ketorolac given at the conclusion of surgery was more effective than either oral acetaminophen or oral ibuprofen given 30 to 45 minutes after strabismus surgery in controlling postoperative pain. Pain relief was achieved earlier by intravenous delivery than by oral agents. Greater pain relief with ketorolac was sustained 5 hours after surgery. This facilitates suture adjustment and earlier discharge. Similar pain control is possible for other ophthalmologic surgery. Because the oral medications used in this study were administered in capsules, the results may have been different if clinically available preparations had been tested.