In women scheduled to undergo cesarean delivery, intravenous Paracetamol reduces pain scores similar to subcutaneous Bupivacaine in the postoperative period.

To examine the analgesic impact of subcutaneous (SC) Bupivacaine and intravenous (IV) Paracetamol on postcesarean pain and opioid need in females undergoing cesarean section.

A total of 155 women were randomly assigned into 3 groups. Bupivacaine was administered SC to Group 1, Paracetamol was administered IV to Group 2 after surgery and at intervals of every six hours for 24 hours during the postoperative period, and 0.9% saline was administered IV and SC to Group 3 at similar periods. In this placebo-controlled, prospective, double-blind, randomized trial, the total opioid requirement as well as the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores were estimated at rest and when coughing, at 15 min, 60 min, and 2, 6, and 12 hours.

At 15 minutes and 2 hours, the placebo group exhibited higher resting VAS scores when compared to Bupivacaine and Paracetamol groups. At 2 hours and 6 hours, the placebo group illustrated higher VAS values at coughing in comparison with Bupivacaine and Paracetamol groups. More morphine was needed by the placebo group when compared to the Paracetamol or Bupivacaine groups.

When compared to placebo, IV Paracetamol minimized pain scores comparable to SC Bupivacaine in the post-cesarean period. Those taking Bupivacaine or Paracetamol required fewer opioids when compared to placebo recipients.