Comparative study between transdermal nicotine and melatonin patches on postoperative pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background
This study evaluated the efficacy of transdermal nicotine (TDN) delivery system (15 mg/16 h) or transdermal melatonin (TDM) delivery system (7 mg) 2 h preoperatively for acute postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared to placebo group (C).
Methods
Sixty female non-smoker patients, aged 18–50 years and ASA I and II undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were included in this randomized controlled double-blind study. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups 20 each, and C group patients received transdermal placebo patch, TDN group (15 mg/16 h) and TDM group (7 mg/8 h). Assessment of postoperative pain, sedation, hemodynamic variables such as HR and MAP, postoperative monitoring of arterial SpO and side effects (e.g. nausea, vomiting, pruritus, respiratory depression and hemodynamic instability) were done 30 min, 1, 2, 6 and 12 h postoperatively. Postoperative Patient’s and Surgeons’ satisfaction, Intraoperative bleeding and plasma cortisol (μg/dl) 2 h postoperatively were also assessed.
Results
There was a significant reduction in the VAS score, total pethidine requirements (mg) and significantly higher patient’s satisfaction in TDN and TDM groups when compared with the C group postoperatively. The sedation score and surgeons’ satisfaction were significantly higher associated with a significant decrease in MAP and Intraoperative bleeding in TDM group compared to C and TDN groups postoperatively. Significant nausea and vomiting in TDN group and significant sedation in TDM group were recorded.
Conclusion
The use of preoperative TDN (15 mg/16 h) or TDM (7 mg/8 h) was an effective and a safe adjuvant for acute pain after surgery.