Intravenous acetaminophen is superior to ketamine for postoperative pain after abdominal hysterectomy: results of a prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic and intraoperative characteristics of the two treatment groups

	Acetaminophen (n=40)	Ketamine (n=40)	P-value
Age (years)	49.9±6.9	47.2±7.2	0.09
Body mass index (kg/m^2)	24.4±3.0	24.7±3.0	0.66
Length of operation (hours)	2.9±0.6	3.1±0.7	0.11

Note: Data are shown as mean ± SD.

Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; n, number.

Table 2 Pain and sedation for the two treatment groups

	Acetaminophen (n=40)	Ketamine (n=40)	P-value
VAS scores
Recovery room	5.4±2.2	6.8±2.0	0.004*
After 4 hours	3.8±1.7	5.0±1.6	0.002*
After 6 hours	2.8±1.1	4.1±1.3	<0.001*
After 12 hours	2.1±1.4	3.0±1.6	0.009*
After 24 hours	1.7±0.9	2.3±1.3	0.02*
RASS scores
Recovery room	1.7±0.6	1.5±0.5	0.45
After 4 hours	2.1±0.4	1.8±0.5	0.32
After 6 hours	2.0±0.2	1.8±0.4	0.32
After 12 hours	2.1±0.7	2.0±0.0	0.65
After 24 hours	2.0±0.2	2.0±0.0	0.56

Notes: Data are shown as mean ± SD.

* Significant at P<0.05.

Abbreviations: n, number; VAS, visual analog scale; RASS, Ramsay Agitation Sedation Scale; SD, standard deviation.

Table 3 Heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the two treatment groups

	Acetaminophen (n=40)	Ketamine (n=40)	P-value
Heart rate (beats/minute)
Recovery room	89.4±14.7	92.2±11.5	0.34
After 4 hours	83.1±9.6	86.9±7.4	0.05
After 6 hours	81.5±7.6	85.0±9.3	0.06
After 12 hours	81.8±8.8	80.4±7.4	0.44
After 24 hours	80.3±6.8	81.5±6.8	0.43
Systolic blood pressure (mm Hg)
Recovery room	128±14	130±16	0.78
After 4 hours	124±12	125±14	0.90
After 6 hours	121±14	121±10	0.94
After 12 hours	124±15	122±9	0.45
After 24 hours	122±12	122±6	0.91
Diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg)
Recovery room	89±15	92±12	0.80
After 4 hours	83±10	87±7	0.67
After 6 hours	85±9	82±8	0.55
After 12 hours	82±9	80±7	0.88
After 24 hours	80±7	82±7	0.37

Note: Data are shown as mean ± SD.

Abbreviations: n, number; SD, standard deviation.

Table 4 Prevalence of side effects of medicines in the two treatment groups

Adverse events	Acetaminophen, n (%)	Ketamine, n (%)	P-value
Nausea	24 (60.0)	26 (65.0)	0.65
Vomiting	6 (15.0)	11 (27.5)	0.17
Dizziness	1 (2.5)	0 (0.0)	0.36
Drowsiness	1 (2.5)	0 (0.0)	0.24

Abbreviation: n, number.