Preemptive celecoxib cuts post-op face-lift surgery pain

(HealthDay)—Preemptive treatment with oral celecoxib appears to be effective in decreasing acute postoperative pain in patients undergoing face-lift surgery, according to a study published online July 10 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.

Behrad B. Aynehchi, M.D., from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, and colleagues reviewed the medical records of 100 patients: 50 consecutive patients who underwent a face-lift without receiving perioperative celecoxib and 50 patients who underwent face-lift surgery and received immediate preoperative and standing postoperative celecoxib.

The researchers found that the two groups of participants had similar demographic characteristics, including that 94 percent of both groups were women. In the non-celecoxib group, postoperative pain scores were higher compared to the celecoxib groups (P < 0.001). Compared to the celecoxib group, the non-celecoxib group had a higher number of postoperative opioid doses (P < 0.05) and had a higher incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

"Given the well-documented adverse effects of opioids, celecoxib is a desirable alternative," the authors write.