Title
Early Intravenous Ibuprofen Decreases Narcotic Requirement and Length of Stay after Traumatic Rib Fracture
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
ISSN
0003-1348
Recommended Citation
"Early Intravenous Ibuprofen Decreases Narcotic Requirement and Length of Stay after Traumatic Rib Fracture" (2013). Faculty Bibliography 2010s. 3677.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/facultybib2010/3677
Comments
Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu