Evaluation of post laparoscopic cholecystectomy pain after subcutaneous injection of lidocaine at port site versus lidocaine spray on gallbladder bed after cholecystectomy: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose The efficacy of intraperitoneal (IP) and incisional use of local anesthesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a promising subject regarding post-operative pain control. In this study, we aim to compare these methods using lidocaine as the local anesthetic. Methods This study was a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Eighty-two patients, candidates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were included. Participants were randomly divided into two equal groups; the instillation group and the infiltration group. In the instillation group, a 2% lidocaine ampule was instilled in the gallbladder bed after removal of the gallbladder. In the infiltration group, a 2% lidocaine ampule was injected subcutaneously into the port sites before making the incisions for the insertion of laparoscopic ports. Results The mean age of patients were 41.66 +/- 14.44 and 48.05 +/- 17.03 years in the instillation and infiltration groups, respectively. The etiologies recorded in this study were: acute calculous cholecystitis (29.3%), symptomatic gallstone (68.3%), and polyp (2.4). The pain severity, evaluated at six different times, from immediately after awakening from anesthesia to 24 h after the operation, was not significantly different between the two groups (p-value =0.329). Consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and narcotics, were statistically lower in the instillation group (p-value =0.013 and 0.003, respectively). However, hospitalization period, time spent to return to normal bowel movements and oral diet, and postoperative nausea/vomiting were not significantly significant between the groups. Conclusion IP instillation of lidocaine following laparoscopic cholecystectomy offers post-operative pain relief and is associated with lower analgesic consumption in comparison to subcutaneous injection of this agent at the port site.