Comparison between Intravenous Ibuprofen and Ketorolac for intraoperative and postoperative analgesia in breast surgeries

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Anesthesia, Surgical Intensive Care and Pain Management Department, Armed Forces College of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt

2 Faculty of pharmacy (clinical pharmacy program ), Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Effective postoperative pain management is essential, but concerns over opioid overprescription have increased interest in non-opioid alternatives like NSAIDs. This study compares the analgesic effects of intravenous (IV) ketorolac and ibuprofen in women undergoing breast excisional biopsy or mastectomy.
Methods: A total of 54 patients at Maadi Military Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, were randomized into two groups: 27 received IV ibuprofen (400–800 mg every 20 minutes, up to 3200 mg/day), and 27 received IV ketorolac (30 mg every hour, up to 120 mg/day). Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), opioid consumption, and hemodynamic stability.
Results: The ketorolac group had a significantly shorter early recovery time and lower pain scores at multiple time points (4, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours; p<0.05). Baseline VAS scores were also lower in this group. Patients receiving ketorolac spent less time in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), though hospital stays were similar. Both groups maintained hemodynamic stability, but ketorolac was associated with fewer adverse events.
Conclusion: IV ketorolac provides superior postoperative analgesia compared to IV ibuprofen in women undergoing breast surgeries, with faster recovery, lower pain scores, and fewer side effects.

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ARCADEs of MEDICINE
Volume 3, Issue 2
October 2025
Pages 115-120

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