Bupivacaine injection during midurethral sling and postoperative pain: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of retropubic injection of 0.125% bupivacaine during midurethral sling placement on postoperative pain.

METHODS

A randomized, double-blind trial of 42 women undergoing midurethral sling for stress incontinence was conducted. The intervention group received an injection of 0.125% bupivacaine in the retropubic space prior to midurethral sling placement, while the control group received no injection. Pain scores were recorded via a 10-cm visual analog scale at 2, 6, and 24 h postoperatively.

RESULTS

Pain scores were lower in the bupivacaine group compared to the control group at 2 h (1.9 versus 2.6, p = 0.05). Mean pain scores were similar at all other time points (all p > 0.45). Participants in both groups used similar amounts of pain medication in the hospital, except that patients in the bupivacaine group used more PO non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (p = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONS

Retropubic injection of 0.125% bupivacaine at the time of midurethral sling placement decreases short-term postoperative pain.