According to a randomised controlled study published in the European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ibuprofen reflects better efficacy in reducing postoperative pain and opioid consumption than paracetamol after open septorhinoplasty. Septorhinoplasty is a procedure involved septoplasty along with rhinoplasty. Patients felt severe pain after the septorhinoplasty surgery.

The study involved administration of intravenous(IV) Ibuprofen and IV Paracetamol to lessen pain and opioid intake after the surgery. A total of 150 participants were included in the analysis which was equally divided into three groups; group control, group Ibuprofen and group Paracetamol. The group P obtained 1000mg Paracetamol in 100ml solution; group I got 800mg Ibuprofen in 100ml saline, and group C, i.e. the control group administered with 100 ml saline before the procedure. The opioid was administrated through patient-controlled analgesia to attained relief from postoperative pain. The postoperative opioid intake, visual analog score (VAS) scores for pain, need for additional analgesia, and adverse events were noticed after the therapy.

The VAS scores and consumption of opioids were statistically lower among group P and the group I as compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Out of group P and I, group I showed lower VAS scores at 1st and 6th hours after the surgery (p < 0.05). The group I also exhibited reduced total opioid intake than group P at 6th and 12th hours (p < 0.05). Group C showed the highest total opioid intake (p < 0.05). However, after 12 hrs, a non-inferiority is noticed among Ibuprofen and Paracetamol. Overall results indicated impact of Ibuprofen is better than Paracetamol in all aspects at first 12 hours.