The efficacy of submucosal tramadol in the postoperative treatment of pain following septoplasty operations.

Tramadol is a centrally acting opioid which is effective for moderate-severe pain and is being used for various acute and chronic pain scenarios. The primary endpoint of this controlled, randomized double blind study was to evaluate the effect of submucosal tramadol on VAS scores after septoplasty operations and secondary endpoint was to investigate the effects on total opioid and additional analgesic consumption and patient satisfaction. 60 patients scheduled for septoplasty under general anaesthesia were enrolled. In Group T, at the end of surgery following hemostasis, 2 mg/kg tramadol was applied as submucosal infiltration to both surgical sites, 2 ml (total 4 ml), by the surgeon. In Group P, at the end of surgery following hemostasis, 2 ml isotonic solution (total 4 ml) was applied as submucosal infiltration to both surgical sites by the surgeon. Total opioid consumption, VAS scores, patient satisfaction was evaluated at the end of 24 h VAS values were higher in Group P on the first and second postoperative hours. Patient controlled analgesia demand and delivery values were higher in Group P on the postoperative 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24th hours. Patient satisfaction was higher and opioid consumption was lower in Group T compared to Group P. There was no difference in additional analgesic consumption between two groups. The results show that patients receiving tramadol had lower VAS scores compared with the placebo groups postoperatively.