Analgesic efficacy of continuous delivery of bupivacaine by an elastomeric balloon infusor after abdominal hysterectomy: a prospective randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the analgesic efficacy and morphine-sparing effect of continuous bupivacaine wound infiltration after abdominal hysterectomy.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomised controlled trial.

SAMPLE: Fifty-two female ASA I or II patients were enrolled with 26 patients in each of the study and control groups.

METHODS

The study group received 0.5% bupivacaine infusion into the incisional (Pfannenstiel) wound via an elastomeric infusor at 2 mL/hr for 48 hours postoperatively plus morphine via a patient controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. The control group had only PCA morphine.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the visual analogue scores (VAS) for pain nor PCA morphine usage for 48 hours postoperatively

CONCLUSION

That continuous infusion of the incisional wound with 0.5% bupivacaine did not confer additional analgesia over PCA morphine after abdominal hysterectomy