Integration of nefopam into the postoperative multimodal analgesia protocol in orthopedic and trauma surgery - Batna university hospital

Introduction and Objectives. Nefopam is a non-opioid central analgesic commonly employed in perioperative multimodal analgesia protocols due to its intrinsic antinociceptive properties. This study aimed to assess the contribution of nefopam to postoperative multimodal analgesia in orthopedic and traumatological surgeries at Batna University Hospital Center. Materials and Methods. A prospective, descriptive, single-center study was conducted in the Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery at the University Hospital Center (CHU) of Batna. All patients who underwent surgery under general anesthesia, without contraindications to nefopam or other analgesics included in the protocol, were enrolled. Postoperative multimodal analgesia systematically included the administration of nefopam. Pain intensity was assessed at 24 hours using a visual analog scale (VAS), and adverse effects were systematically recorded. Results. A total of 30 patients were included, 59.5 % were aged between 20–40 years, and 63.8 % underwent spinal procedures. At 24 hours postoperative, 64.6 % of patients reported VAS scores < 30 mm, indicating effective pain control. Nefopam and co-analgesics were well tolerated: the most frequent side effects were somnolence (23.8 %) and postoperative nausea/vomiting (16.7 %). No cases of respiratory depression or significant gastrointestinal disturbances were observed. Conclusion. The incorporation of nefopam into a multimodal analgesia protocol for orthopedic and traumatological surgery provides satisfactory pain control with a favorable safety profile.