Paracetamol versus placebo: effects on post-operative course
Abstract
Paracetamol was compared with placebo in a double-blind crossover study, in which essentially the same operation was performed on two separate occasions in 24 healthy patients, namely surgical removal of bilateral impacted wisdom teeth. Commencing on the day of surgery, either paracetamol (Panodil; 1.0 g x 4 for 2 days, then 0.5 g x 4 for the next 2 days) or placebo tablets were given, followed by crossover to the alternative treatment at the second operation about 4 weeks later. Several objective and subjective assessments were recorded for paired comparison of post-operative courses. Swelling on the 3rd day after operation when paracetamol was given averaged 71% of that measured when placebo was given (p less than 0.05). After paracetamol, a tendency was noted towards reduced local hyperpyrexia and less post-operative bleeding. The pain and preference scores were clearly in favour of paracetamol. The results provide evidence to suggest that paracetamol may reduce an acute, posttraumatic inflammatory reaction.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 24 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Effect of dexamethasone as an analgesic adjuvant to multimodal pain treatment after total knee arthroplasty: randomised clinical trial
- Effect of a Postoperative Multimodal Opioid-Sparing Protocol vs Standard Opioid Prescribing on Postoperative Opioid Consumption After Knee or Shoulder Arthroscopy: A Randomized Clinical Trial
- Comparison of the Post-Caesarean Analgesic Effect of Adding Dexmedetomidine to Paracetamol and Ketorolac: A Randomized Clinical Trial
- A triple-blind randomized clinical trial of different associations between dexamethasone and non-steroids anti-inflammatories for preemptive action in third molar extractions
- An open label randomized clinical trial of Indomethacin for mild and moderate hospitalised Covid-19 patients
- Oral paracetamol and/or ibuprofen for treating pain after soft tissue injuries: Single centre double-blind, randomised controlled clinical trial
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.