Abstract

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an endoscopic procedure that is used to visualize the biliary pancreatic ductal system following the intravenous (IV) injection of an opaque contrast medium. Ibuprofen, a propionic acid derivative, has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic features similar to a non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of ibuprofen on geriatric patients with ERCP.

Methods: A total of 80 patients and age > 65 years, were included in the study. Participants were divided into three groups: group P (n = 27) was administered a 1000 mg/100 ml paracetamol infusion 30 minutes (min) before the procedure; group I (n = 28) was administered a 400 mg/100 ml ibuprofen IV infusion 30 min before the procedure; and group C (n = 25), a control group, was not administered analgesics before the procedure.

Results: Group I was found to have a significantly lower intraoperative fentanyl dose than group P and C. The intraoperative propofol dose was lowest in group I and highest in group C. While visual analog scale (VAS) scores demonstrated no significant differences among the groups in the first 15 min after the procedure; group I was found to have significantly lower VAS levels in 30 min after the procedure.

Conclusion: The present study compared the effects of ibuprofen and paracetamol administered prior to the ERCP procedure with results demonstrating a reduction in the dose of intraoperative narcotics with intravenous ibuprofen.