Efficacy and safety of lidocaine versus sufentanil in patient-controlled intravenous analgesia after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery: a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of lidocaine-based patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) with sufentanil-based PCIA for managing postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.

METHODS

A total of 126 patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to lidocaine group (group L, n = 63) or the sufentanil group (group S, n = 63). The primary endpoint was visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score during movement at 24 h after surgery. Secondary endpoints included VAS pain scores at rest and during movement at 6, 12, 36, and 48 h after surgery, the time of first flatus and defecation after the surgery, postoperative hospitalization time and total hospitalization costs, patient satisfaction scores, and the incidence of adverse events.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the two groups in VAS pain scores at rest and during movement at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after surgery (all p > 0.05). The time to first flatus and defecation, as well as postoperative hospitalization time and total hospitalization expenses, were also similar between the two groups (all p > 0.05). However, satisfaction score was significantly higher in group L compared to group S (p < 0.05), and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was significantly lower in group L than in group S (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Lidocaine-based PCIA can effectively relieve postoperative pain, decrease the incidence of PONV, and improve patient satisfaction in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.

TRIALS REGISTRATION: The study was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) with the registration number ChiCTR2300068854, with the registration date being March 1, 2023.