Intraperitoneal lidocaine for postoperative pain after laparoscopy.

BACKGROUND

A controversy exists over the effectiveness and clinical value of intraperitoneal local anaesthetics for treating pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The use of intraperitoneal lidocaine was evaluated in this study.

METHODS

At the end of surgery, 200 ml saline containing 200 mg lidocaine, or the same volume of saline, were randomly splashed under the right diaphragmatic surface in 50 patients in a double-blind manner. Postoperative shoulder and abdominal pain intensity were recorded on a numeric grading scale and a visual analogue scale, respectively. Analgesic consumption was also recorded. Respiratory function tests were compared before and after surgery. Side effects and recovery variables were assessed by the nurses at 2-h intervals.

RESULTS

The incidence, severity and duration of shoulder pain were reduced from 40% of patients scoring 3.9+/-0.2 for duration of 17.9+/-0.2 h in the control group to 12% scoring 2.5+/-0.5 for duration of 1.6+/-0.01 h in the lidocaine group. Lidocaine treated patients had significantly less abdominal postoperative pain immediately on return to the ward and during the first postoperative day (P<0.05). "No pain on deep inspiration" was reported by 72% of patients in the lidocaine group immediately on return to the ward compared to 8% of those in the control group. Analgesic consumption for 24 h after surgery was significantly less in the lidocaine group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in respiratory function tests, recovery variables or incidence of side effects between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Intraperitoneal lidocaine is simple to use and results in a long-lasting reduction of pain after a single administration.