Early Intravenous Ibuprofen Decreases Narcotic Requirement and Length of Stay after Traumatic Rib Fracture

    Authors

    L. Bayouth; K. Safcsak; M. L. Cheatham; C. P. Smith; K. L. Birrer;J. T. Promes

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Am. Surg.

    Keywords

    POSTOPERATIVE PAIN; Surgery

    Abstract

    Pain control after traumatic rib fracture is essential to avoid respiratory complications and prolonged hospitalization. Narcotics are commonly used, but adjunctive medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be beneficial. Twenty-one patients with traumatic rib fractures treated with both narcotics and intravenous ibuprofen (IVIb) (Treatment) were retrospectively compared with 21 age- and rib fracture-matched patients who received narcotics alone (Control). Pain medication requirements over the first 7 hospital days were evaluated. Mean daily IVIb dose was 2070 +/- 880 mg. Daily intravenous morphine-equivalent requirement was 19 +/- 16 vs 32 +/- 24 mg (P < 0.0001). Daily narcotic requirement was significantly decreased in the Treatment group on Days 3 through 7 (P < 0.05). Total weekly narcotic requirement was significantly less among Treatment patients (P = 0.004). Highest and lowest daily pain scores were lower in the Treatment group (P < 0.05). Hospital length of stay was 4.4 +/- 3.4 versus 5.4 +/- 2.9 days (P = 0.32). There were no significant complications associated with IVIb therapy. Early IVIb therapy in patients with traumatic rib fractures significantly decreases narcotic requirement and results in clinically significant decreases in hospital length of stay. IVIb therapy should be initiated in patients with traumatic rib fractures to improve patient comfort and reduce narcotic requirement.

    Journal Title

    American Surgeon

    Volume

    79

    Issue/Number

    11

    Publication Date

    1-1-2013

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    1207

    Last Page

    1212

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000326316600017

    ISSN

    0003-1348

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