Published in:
01-02-2017
Prospective randomized controlled trial comparing standard analgesia with combined intra-operative cystic plate and port-site local anesthesia for post-operative pain management in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors:
Mladjan Protic, Radovan Veljkovic, Anton J. Bilchik, Ana Popovic, Milana Kresoja, Aviram Nissan, Itzhak Avital, Alexander Stojadinovic
Published in:
Surgical Endoscopy
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Issue 2/2017
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Abstract
Background
Various mechanisms, including somatic and visceral nociceptive stimulation, have been suggested as a cause for pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). We therefore conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial (PRCT) to evaluate whether somatovisceral pain blockade reduces pain after LC.
Hypothesis
Analgesic efficacy of multimodal analgesia is superior to standard analgesia for patients undergoing elective LC for symptomatic cholelithiasis. Specifically, topical cystic plate and port-site injection with 0.25 % bupivacaine significantly reduces pain after LC.
Design
This study was designed as single-blinded PRCT.
Setting
This study was conducted in an academic medical center.
Patients and methods
Between February and May 2010 we randomly assigned 63 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis in a 1:1 ratio to non-opioid/opioid analgesic combinations (Control Group, n = 32) and non-opioid/opioid analgesic combinations plus topical 0.25 % bupivacaine onto the cystic plate and local 0.25 % bupivacaine port-site injection, post-LC (Study Group, n = 31). Primary endpoint was patient-reported pain 1, 4, 6, 12, 24 h and 1 week post-LC using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS 0–10).
Results
Study groups were comparable clinicopathologically. There were no adverse events. A statistically significant reduction in mean pain score was apparent in Study Group patients in comparison with Control Group (mean VAS 4.83 ± 2.33 vs. 6.80 ± 1.87; p < 0.001) at all early (1–6 h) post-operative time points following LC.
Conclusion
This PRCT shows significantly improved pain control with somatovisceral pain blockade over non-opioid/opioid analgesic combinations following LC for symptomatic cholelithiasis. For centers not utilizing adjunctive local anesthetic for LC, this topical use of bupivacaine may improve patient comfort during recovery.