Summary

Background and objective: Data from several studies implicate that pre-treatment with non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as aspirin or diclofenac may decrease the incidence of postoperative succinycholine-related myalgia. We tested the influence of a preoperatively administered selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor, parecoxib, on postoperative myalgia. Methods: After Ethics Committee approval, 68 patients were randomized into two groups (n = 34 each). Group 1 received parecoxib 40 mg intravenously 3 min before induction of anaesthesia, and Group 2 received saline (in a double-blinded manner). Incidence and severity of myalgia was evaluated systematically with a standardized questionnaire 24, 48 and 72 h after anaesthesia. We also the assessed the number of patients who felt limited in their activity due to myalgia. Results: Seven patients in the parecoxib-treated group complained of myalgia compared with 11 in the control group (not significant). No significant difference in the severity of myalgia or in the limitation of patients activity was found between the groups. Conclusion: Intravenous parecoxib 40 mg, when administered before induction of anaesthesia, did not reduce incidence and severity of postoperative myalgia and did not improve activity in those who suffered from myalgia.