Investigating the effect of two doses of acetazolamide, as a precursor for relief of referral pain, after laparoscopic cholecystectomy with carbon dioxide gas, and comparing it with control group

Abstract

Background: Referral pain is one of the most common complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of different doses of acetazolamide on postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with carbon dioxide gas. Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial study, 90 patients who were candidates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled and randomly divided into three groups. The first group was treated with acetazolamide (10 mg/kg up to 750 mg), the second group was treated with acetazolamide (5 mg/kg up to 375 mg), and the third group was treated with placebo (empty capsule) one hour before the operation. Then, the study variables were compared between three groups. Findings: At the baseline, and 6, 12, and 18 hours after the operation, referral pain was significantly less to more in first, second, and third groups, respectively (P < 0.050). Moreover, the need to analgesia (pethidine) in the first group was significantly lower than second and third groups (P < 0.001). However, the postoperative complications in the first group was significantly higher than others (P = 0.002). Conclusion: The usage of 10 mg/kg up to 750 mg of acetazolamide significantly reduced postoperative referral pain, and need to analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with carbon dioxide gas; but the complications of this dose were relatively higher, although were not severe. © 2018, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.