To compare analgesic efficacy and related side effects of bilateral superficial cervical plexus block and intravenous administration of parecoxib in thyroidectomy under general anesthesia.

Fifty patients who underwent thyriodectomy were assigned into bilateral cervical plexus blockade group (group A, 25 cases) or intravenous administration of parecoxib group (group B, 25 cases) . In group A, bilateral superficial cervical plexus was performed after anesthesia induction. In group B, 40 mg parecoxib was administrated intravenously 30 minutes before initiating of procedure. The number of patients asking for analgesics, VAS scores and postoperative nausea and vomiting in 24 h after surgery were assessed.

VAS scores and the number of patients requiring analgesics during first 24 h after operation were similar in two groups. The dosage of remifentanil infused during the procedure was significantly lower in group A (884 ± 238) μg than in group B (1783 ± 262) μg (P < 0.05) . The Inci- dents of postoperative nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in group A than in group B (5/25 vs. 12/25) (P < 0.05) .

Both bilateral superficial cervical plexus blockade and intravenous administration of parecoxib provide good postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing thyriodectomy under general anesthesia. Bilateral superficial cervical plexus blockade reduces intraoperative anesthetics usage, which results in lower posteroperative nausea and vomiting.