Transdermal Diclofenac Patch Vs. Intramuscular Diclofenac For Postoperative Analgesia In Lower Abdominal Surgeries: A Comparative Study

Background: Effective postoperative analgesia is crucial for patient recovery and satisfaction. Inadequate pain management can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and chronic pain [1]. Currently, intramuscular (IM) diclofenac is a common method for postoperative pain relief, but it can be associated with injection site pain and fluctuating drug levels [2]. This study compares the analgesic efficacy and safety of transdermal diclofenac patch versus intramuscular diclofenac in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries under subarachnoid block [3]. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, open-label study involving 100 ASA I/II patients. Group TD received a transdermal diclofenac patch (100 mg) 2 hours preoperatively, while Group IM received intramuscular diclofenac (75 mg) 30 minutes post-surgery. Pain was assessed using VAS scores at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours. Results: Mean VAS scores were significantly lower in the transdermal patch group at 12 and 24 hours (p<0.05). Time to first rescue analgesic was significantly longer in Group TD (~10 hours) compared to Group IM (~6 hours) (p<0.01). Total rescue analgesic consumption was significantly lower in the transdermal group. Conclusion: Transdermal diclofenac patch provides superior and more sustained postoperative analgesia compared to intramuscular diclofenac, significantly reducing rescue analgesic requirements