An outcome study of patient-controlled morphine analgesia, with or without ketorolac, following radical retropubic prostatectomy

Abstract

Purpose: We compared the effects of postoperative pain control strategies on recovery after radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Materials and methods: The results in 22 consecutive patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy between 1993 and 1994 were evaluated. Pain control was achieved using morphine patient-controlled analgesia in 11 patients or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory ketorolac in 11. Outcome measures were compared between the 2 groups.

Results: The interval to return of bowel function, length of hospitalization and total hospital costs were significantly decreased in the ketorolac treated patients.

Conclusions: Pain control with ketorolac affords excellent analgesia while allowing for earlier recovery of bowel function, shorter hospitalization and lower overall costs in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy.