Comparison of post-operative pain with and without administration of local anesthetic intraperitoneally in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Objectives: To compare post-operative pain with and without administration of local anesthetic intraperitoneally in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was done in surgical unit of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi fromJuly 2017 to Jan 2018. A total of 120 consecutive patients between age of 20 - 60 years of both gender and who were candidates of laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in the study. They were equally allocated into two treatment groups by random assignment. Patients in group A (IP 0.5% Bupivicaine) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with administration of 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine intraperitoneally. Group B (control) patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy without administration of intraperitoneal local anesthetic. Efficacy (VAS <= 4) in terms of reduced pain after instillation of local anesthetic intraperitoneally was measured at 8 hours after surgery. Results: The mean age of both groups was 46.80 +/- 7.12 and 49.40 +/- 6.19 years, respectively. According to ASA classification I & II, 52 (86.7%) were in group A and 8 (13.3%) in group B. Effective pain control at 8 hours after surgery was achieved in 42 (70%) patients in group A as compared to 12 (20%) in group B (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Intraperitoneal administration of 0.5% Bupivicane after laparoscopic cholecystectomy was found to be an effective option for post-operative pain management at 8 hours after surgery.