Does ketorolac tromethamine, a new analgesic, decrease postoperative recovery time, narcotic requirements, nausea and/or vomiting, and unscheduled hospital admissions: a retrospective analysis

Abstract

This study retrospectively evaluated patients receiving intramuscular ketorolac for postoperative analgesia as compared to intravenous narcotics. Ninety-eight patients' charts were reviewed. Forty-nine subjects who received ketorolac postoperatively (intramuscularly) when entering the post anesthesia recovery unit, were matched with forty-nine subjects who had had similar diagnoses (operated on during the same eight months) who did not receive ketorolac (groups 1 and 2). All subjects received narcotics (intravenously) when complaining of pain. Variables recorded were type and duration of procedure, patient age, gender, post anesthesia recovery time, unscheduled admissions, ketorolac dose, narcotic requirements and doses, and nausea and/or vomiting. Data for each of the two groups were compared by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Groups 1 and 2 did not differ in type or duration of surgery, patient age or gender. Procedures ranged from dilatation and curettage to major spinal surgeries. Post anesthesia recovery unit times, narcotic dosages and nausea and/or vomiting were not different between group 1 and 2. The timing of administration for the ketorolac may be a reason for these results; it may be beneficial if administered intraoperatively, or intravenously (when FDA approved in the United States) during the postoperative period.