Use of Etoricoxib Compared to Diclofenac in the Perioperative Treatment of Patients After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is a common surgical procedure in orthopaedic surgery which can be associated with perioperative blood loss and severe postoperative pain. Adequate pain management is very important to achieve early mobilisation in order to avoid immobility-induced complications. Non steroidal antirheumatic agents (NSAIDs) as selective Cox-2 inhibitors are commonly used in the management of postoperative pain. There exist non-selective and selective Cox-inihibitors. Non-selective NSAIDs block the systhesis of prostagandins by the two iso-enzymes of the cyclooxygenase, Cox-1 and Cox-2. For this reason the bleeding risk after operations (e.g.tonsillectomy) is increased. In this regard, the perioperative use of Cox-2 selective NSAIDs is advantageous for pain management after tonsillectomy. This could be shown for Rifecoxib, a selective Cox-2 inihibitor. For THAs with treatment of Etoricoxib, also a selective Cox-2 inhibitor, possible complications as the increased risk of haematoma, gastrointestinal bleeding and the need of blood transfusion could possibly be reduced. Selective Cox-2 inhibitors do not interfere with the coagulation system. Study results show that other selective Cox-2 inhibitors like meloxicam reduce perioperative blood loss. Thus, besides ensuring a good perioperative pain management, selective Cox-2 inhibitors may in addition cause less blood loss than non-selective NSAIDs.This possible reduction of blood loss during pain management with Etoricoxib (Arcoxia) will be investigated the described clinical trial. Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a complication occurring after THA which can lead to postoperative pain and reduced function. Non-selective NSAIDs are commonly used in the prophylaxis of heterotopic ossifications after THA. The exact mechanism of prevention of bone formation is unclear. Some results indicate that the development of HO follows a Cox-2 pathway. A further aim of this clinical trial is to investigate the efficacy of Etoricoxib in the prevention of heterotropic ossification.