Evaluation of the effect of intravenous paracetamol on opioid consump-tion in intubated patient after major surgery in intensive care unit

Pain is a frequent problem experienced in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Pain may increase morbidity and mortality and may decrease the comfort of patients and health-related quality of life. The adequate use of analgesics and sedatives therefore may decrease morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is finding scientific evidence for parental paracetamol efficacy on pain intensity in ICU intubated patients underwent abdominal or pelvic surgery. Methods and materials: In this double bind controlled study, intubated patients aged 18-69 yr having undergone major abdomino-pelvic surgeries and transferred to icu were divided into two groups each comprising of 20. Group 1 upon arrival in ICU received 1G paracetamol diluted in 100 cc of normal saline. 6 hour by i.v. for 24 hrs and group 2 received 100 cc of normal saline. Opioid consumption and the intensity of pain scores based on BPS were assessed at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hrs after surgery. Data were analysed using spss 17. The mean age of case and control group was 55.7 and 58.35 years. Frequency of men and women patients were 57.5 and 42.5. Pain intensity had significant difference in cases and control group at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours (p=0.001). Also, opioid consumption after surgery had significant difference in cases and controls (p<0.01). According to this finding, it is conducted that the parentral paracetamol is useful for pain reduction after surgery in ICU patients.