Comparison of the analgesic effects of paracetamol and tramadol in lumbar disc surgery.

Background/aim: To compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy and side effects of paracetamol and tramadol in patients undergoing lumbar disc surgery.

Materials And Methods: Group P (paracetamol group) was given 1 g of paracetamol intravenously 30 min before the end of the operation and 1 g each day at 6-h intervals. Group T (tramadol group) was given 1.5 mg/kg of tramadol as a loading dose and patient-controlled analgesia for 1 day. Hemodynamic parameters, modified Aldrete score, Ramsay sedation scale score, patient satisfaction scale (PSS) score, visual analog scale (VAS) score, nausea/vomiting scale score, and additional analgesic needs/times were recorded.

Results: PSS scores were significantly higher in Group T (P < 0.05). The total analgesic consumption was significantly higher in Group P. There were no significant differences in the VAS scores at any time points. Twenty-one patients in Group P and 8 patients in Group T needed additional analgesia (P < 0.05). The first additional analgesic time was earlier in Group P, and pain was more evident at the 15th minute and at hours 2 and 6 (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Paracetamol alone was not able to provide effective analgesia. Tramadol was more effective in the treatment of postoperative pain after lumbar disc surgery.