Postarthroscopy analgesia using intraarticular levobupivacaine and intravenous dexketoprofen trometamol

60 patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy were randomized to receive one of three analgesic treatments following surgery: intraarticular (IA) levobupivacaine and intravenous (IV) dexketoprofen trometamol, IA saline and IV dexketoprofen, or IA levobupivacaine and IV saline. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the combination of the two interventions on pain and analgesic consumption up to 24 hours following surgery. The results suggested that patients who received combined intraarticular levobupivacaine and intravenous dexketoprofen displayed significantly lower pain scores at 1-24 hours postoperatively, significantly lower rescue medication requirements, and greater patient satisfaction when compared to the groups in which patients received either IV dexketoprofen and IA saline, or IA levobupivacaine and IV saline.