Efficacy Of Phenytoin Sodium In The Management Of Post Operative Pain

Abstract

Postoperative pain in three groups of Nigerian patients, comprising 15 cases each of minor, intermediate and major surgical operations, was treated with phenytoin sodium, dihydrocodeine and paracetamol respectively. The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of phenytoin sodium as a postoperative analgesic agent. Analgesia was assessed using the results of verbal rating scale scores namely, PID (pain intensity difference), SPID (sum of pain intensity difference) and TOTPAR (total pain relief) and a modified global rating scale. The results showed phenytoin sodium to be superior to paracetamol in the treatment of all grades of postoperative pain. It was equipotent to dihydrocodeine in mild and moderate pain, while dihydrocodeine was superior in severe pain. It is concluded that Phenytoin sodium is an efficacious analgesic agent in mild to moderate postoperative pain.

Key words: Pain; Analgesia; Postoperative

Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.18(1-2) 2003: 72-76