ObjectiveTo evaluate the preemptive analgesic efficiency of parecoxib on patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair. MethodsOne hundred and twenty patients scheduled for surgery between May and August 2013 were randomized into group A (n=60) and group B (n=60). Patients in group A received intravenous parecoxib sodium (40 mg) for 45 minutes before surgery while group B received equivalent normal saline. All patients underwent tension-free hernia repair under local anesthesia with simplex lidocaine. Visual analogy scores (VAS) after surgery and the maximum VAS were recorded. The number of patients requiring rescue analgesic (tramadol injection) or with adverse effects related to analgesia were observed and recorded. Postoperative hospital stay and patient satisfaction score with analgesic effect were compared between the two groups. Concentrations of plasma prostaglandin E2(PGE2) before surgery and 24 hours after surgery were measured in both groups. ResultsVAS scores were significantly lower in group A at 2, 4, 8 and 12 hours after surgery than group B, while no significant difference was seen after 24 hours of the surgery. The number of patients requiring tramadol (3/60) or with adverse effects (2/60) in group A were significantly lower than that in group B (11/60 and 8/60 respectively). Postoperative hospital stay was shorter while patient satisfaction score with analgesic effect was higher in group A than in group B. There were no significant differences in concentration of plasma PGE2 between the two groups before surgery and after 24 hours of the surgery (P>0.05). ConclusionPreemptive administration of parecoxib for hernia repair can result in significant analgesic effect with fewer adverse effects, higher patient satisfaction and faster recovery.