Postoperative pain control with ropivacaine following laparoscopic myomectomy: A randomized double-blind, pilot study

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate immediate pain control in patients who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) by intraoperative injection of ropivacaine into both uterosacral ligaments. Methods The study was a prospective, double-blind, randomized study. We analyzed 46 cases of LM performed between July 2015 and November 2016 by a single surgeon. We randomized the enrolled patients into either a ropivacaine or a saline injection group. Before the surgeon closed the abdominal wall, each 7.5% ropivacaine (5 mL) or saline (5 mL) was administered into both uterosacral ligaments through laparoscopic injection needle. We compared the pain intensity scores 2, 6, 12, and 24 h after injection between the two groups. Results The pain intensity scores were not significantly different. However, the ropivacaine group requested less of the analgesic than the placebo-injected group requested (P = 0.035). No patient in the ropivacaine group reported any side effects. Conclusion Intraoperative ropivacaine injection into both uterosacral ligaments during LM can reduce the dosage of opioid analgesics.