Awareness and Use of Diclofenac Suppository for Postoperative Pain Relief by Nigerian Anaesthetists

Abstract

Background: Diclofenac suppository has been used as a sole analgesic or adjunct to opioids for postoperative painrelief for more than a decade in some countries. However, its use in Nigeria is not known. This survey was conductedto assess the awareness and use of diclofenac suppository for postoperative pain relief by Physician anaesthetists inNigeria.Patients and Methods: A self administrable semi-structured questionnaire was designed and administered to 53Nigerian anaesthetists during two separate scientific workshops/conferences in September and November, 2010.Participants at the November Conference who had filled the questionnaire during the Workshop in September wererequested not to participate to avoid duplication of data.Results: The response rate was 96.2%. Sixty-eight percent of the respondents knew about diclofenac suppository. Ofthese, 29.4% have administered it to their patients; they all noted satisfactory results. Most (77.8%) of those that haveadministered the rectal diclofenac had it in their hospitals (p = 0.001). It was available in the institutions of only 12.6%of the respondents at affordable price. However, 90.4% would like to use it for postoperative pain relief if available attheir centres.Conclusion: The level of awareness of diclofenac suppository among Nigerian physician anaesthetists is fair butusage is still low. There is need for increased awareness through education on its use and benefit to patients. We needto improve its availability for postoperative pain relief in the light of its cost effectiveness.

Keywords: Nigerian anaesthetists, awareness, diclofenac suppository, postoperative pain relief