Effect of intraoperative ketorolac on postanesthesia care unit comfort

The efficacy of intraoperatively administered ketorolac for the prophylactic treatment of pain in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) was examined in a prospective, double-blinded study. Thirty patients undergoing general anesthesia for orthopedic or lower abdominal surgery were randomized into two groups. Both groups received equivalent doses of opioids intraoperatively. Upon surgical closure, one group received intramuscular (IM) ketorolac 60 mg (2 mL) and the other group received normal saline 2 mL, IM. The saline control group more frequently required opioid-analgesic supplementation in the PACU than did the ketorolac group (P < 0.05). Time to first-required opioid dose in the PACU was 22 ± 8 versus 76 ± 11 min for the control group and ketorolac group, respectively (P < 0.001). The ketorolac group reported significantly lower pain scores 1 hr after PACU admission (P < 0.01). Time to PACU discharge was not different between groups. Intraoperatively administered ketorolac is an effective adjunct in the management of postoperative pain.