Voltaren® as an analgesic after surgical removal of a lower wisdom tooth

In a controlled trial, before having a lower wisdom tooth surgically removed, 190 patients were blindly randomized to 2 parallel groups. One group received 100 mg Voltaren® (diclofenac-sodium) before surgery and then 50 mg 3 times a day for 5 days; the other group in Sweden widely used fixed combination tablets (acetylsalicylic acid 500 mg, caffeine 50 mg, aprobarbital 20 mg, codeine phosphate 10 mg) in the highest recommended dose, 2 tablets when needed at most 3 times a day. Twice a day the patients recorded pain and swelling on 100 mm visual analogue scales. Patients treated with Voltaren had significantly less pain and swelling (p < 0.001). Furthermore, they had significantly, fewer days away from work (p < 0.01). The study indicates that visual analogue scales may also be useful in assessment of swelling and that Voltaren in a fixed dosage offers a promising alternative against postoperative pain and swelling.