Effect of intercostals neural blockade with Marcaine (bupivacaine) on postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: Postoperative pain experienced by patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy may aggravate surgical complications, prevent early discharge, and cause readmission. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an intraoperative intercostals neural blockade for the control of postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: In a prospective, double-blinded, clinical trial, 61 patients classified as American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) 1 and 2 undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to receive only general anesthesia (control group, n = 30) or general anesthesia plus intraoperative intercostals neural blockade using 0.5% bupivacaine-adrenaline at the right side (intercostals group, n = 31). Postoperative pain was assessed according to a pain severity score using a subjective analog visual scale (VAS) 6, 12, and 24 h after the surgery. Systemic narcotic injection was available to all surgically treated patients postoperatively according to their demand. The history, pain severity score, and all postoperative data were recorded for each patient. Results: The pain severity score was significantly higher in control group than in the intercostals group (p < 0.001), suggesting that patients who received intercostals neural blockade had less pain postoperatively than the control group. Conclusion: Intercostals neural blockade may safely be used to reduce the postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.