A Meta-Analysis of the Utility of Preoperative Intravenous Paracetamol for Post-Caesarean Analgesia
<i>Background and objectives:</i> Worldwide, the number of caesarean sections performed has increased exponentially. Some studies have reported better pain control and lower postoperative requirements for opioids when intravenous (IV) paracetamol was administered preoperatively. This met...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-07-01
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| Series: | Medicina |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1010-660X/55/8/424 |
| _version_ | 1827847425475215360 |
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| author | Qin Xiang Ng Wayren Loke Wee Song Yeo Kelvin Yong Yan Chng Chin How Tan |
| author_facet | Qin Xiang Ng Wayren Loke Wee Song Yeo Kelvin Yong Yan Chng Chin How Tan |
| author_sort | Qin Xiang Ng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Background and objectives:</i> Worldwide, the number of caesarean sections performed has increased exponentially. Some studies have reported better pain control and lower postoperative requirements for opioids when intravenous (IV) paracetamol was administered preoperatively. This meta-analysis thus aimed to investigate the utility of preoperative IV paracetamol for post-caesarean analgesia. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: By using the keywords (paracetamol OR acetaminophen) AND [cesarea* OR caesarea* OR cesaria* OR caesaria*], a systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Medline, Embase, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for papers published in English between January 1, 1960 and March 1, 2019. Grey literature was searched as well. <i>Results</i>: Seven clinical trials were reviewed, while five randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies were included in the final meta-analysis. Applying per-protocol analysis and a random-effects model, there was a significant reduction in postoperative opioid consumption and pain score in the group that received preoperative IV paracetamol, compared to placebo, as the standardized mean difference (SMD) were −0.460 (95% CI −0.828 to −0.092, <i>p</i> = 0.014) and −0.719 (95% CI: −1.31 to −0.13, <i>p</i> = 0.018), respectively. However, there was significant heterogeneity amongst the different studies included in the meta-analysis (I<sup>2</sup> = 70.66%), perhaps owing to their diverse protocols. Some studies administered IV paracetamol 15 min before induction while others gave it before surgical incision. <i>Conclusion</i>: This is the first review on the topic. Overall, preoperative IV paracetamol has convincingly demonstrated useful opioid-sparing effects and it also appears safe for use at the time of delivery. It should be considered as a component of an effective multimodal analgesic regimen. Future studies could be conducted on other patient groups, e.g., those with multiple comorbidities or chronic pain disorders, and further delineate the optimal timing to administer the drug preoperatively. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T09:29:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8c62f5e7793f4c6ba79e17baf35f9291 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1010-660X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T09:29:56Z |
| publishDate | 2019-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj.art-8c62f5e7793f4c6ba79e17baf35f92912023-09-02T13:55:29ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X2019-07-0155842410.3390/medicina55080424medicina55080424A Meta-Analysis of the Utility of Preoperative Intravenous Paracetamol for Post-Caesarean AnalgesiaQin Xiang Ng0Wayren Loke1Wee Song Yeo2Kelvin Yong Yan Chng3Chin How Tan4MOH Holdings Pte Ltd., 1 Maritime Square, Singapore 099253, SingaporeMOH Holdings Pte Ltd., 1 Maritime Square, Singapore 099253, SingaporeNational University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore 119074, SingaporeMOH Holdings Pte Ltd., 1 Maritime Square, Singapore 099253, SingaporeDepartment of Women’s Anaesthesia, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 229899, Singapore<i>Background and objectives:</i> Worldwide, the number of caesarean sections performed has increased exponentially. Some studies have reported better pain control and lower postoperative requirements for opioids when intravenous (IV) paracetamol was administered preoperatively. This meta-analysis thus aimed to investigate the utility of preoperative IV paracetamol for post-caesarean analgesia. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: By using the keywords (paracetamol OR acetaminophen) AND [cesarea* OR caesarea* OR cesaria* OR caesaria*], a systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Medline, Embase, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for papers published in English between January 1, 1960 and March 1, 2019. Grey literature was searched as well. <i>Results</i>: Seven clinical trials were reviewed, while five randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies were included in the final meta-analysis. Applying per-protocol analysis and a random-effects model, there was a significant reduction in postoperative opioid consumption and pain score in the group that received preoperative IV paracetamol, compared to placebo, as the standardized mean difference (SMD) were −0.460 (95% CI −0.828 to −0.092, <i>p</i> = 0.014) and −0.719 (95% CI: −1.31 to −0.13, <i>p</i> = 0.018), respectively. However, there was significant heterogeneity amongst the different studies included in the meta-analysis (I<sup>2</sup> = 70.66%), perhaps owing to their diverse protocols. Some studies administered IV paracetamol 15 min before induction while others gave it before surgical incision. <i>Conclusion</i>: This is the first review on the topic. Overall, preoperative IV paracetamol has convincingly demonstrated useful opioid-sparing effects and it also appears safe for use at the time of delivery. It should be considered as a component of an effective multimodal analgesic regimen. Future studies could be conducted on other patient groups, e.g., those with multiple comorbidities or chronic pain disorders, and further delineate the optimal timing to administer the drug preoperatively.https://www.mdpi.com/1010-660X/55/8/424pre-emptivepreoperativeparacetamolpregnancycaesareananalgesia |
| spellingShingle | Qin Xiang Ng Wayren Loke Wee Song Yeo Kelvin Yong Yan Chng Chin How Tan A Meta-Analysis of the Utility of Preoperative Intravenous Paracetamol for Post-Caesarean Analgesia Medicina pre-emptive preoperative paracetamol pregnancy caesarean analgesia |
| title | A Meta-Analysis of the Utility of Preoperative Intravenous Paracetamol for Post-Caesarean Analgesia |
| title_full | A Meta-Analysis of the Utility of Preoperative Intravenous Paracetamol for Post-Caesarean Analgesia |
| title_fullStr | A Meta-Analysis of the Utility of Preoperative Intravenous Paracetamol for Post-Caesarean Analgesia |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Meta-Analysis of the Utility of Preoperative Intravenous Paracetamol for Post-Caesarean Analgesia |
| title_short | A Meta-Analysis of the Utility of Preoperative Intravenous Paracetamol for Post-Caesarean Analgesia |
| title_sort | meta analysis of the utility of preoperative intravenous paracetamol for post caesarean analgesia |
| topic | pre-emptive preoperative paracetamol pregnancy caesarean analgesia |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1010-660X/55/8/424 |
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