A prospective, randomized, controlled trial of the postoperative analgesic effects of spraying 0.25 % levobupivacaine after bilateral axillo-breast approach robotic thyroidectomy

Robotic thyroidectomy (RoT) is frequently performed due to its excellent cosmesis and recovery features. However, postoperative pain in the operating field after RoT remains a concern due to extensive tissue dissection and tension during the operation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anterior chest pain and the effect of levobupivacaine spraying on postoperative pain control after bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) RoT. We randomized 55 adult patients scheduled for BABA RoT into the control group (group C, n = 27) or the levobupivacaine group (group L, n = 28). At the end of surgery, patients in groups C and L were sprayed with the same volume (30 ml) of normal saline and 0.25 % levobupivacaine, respectively, on the flap dissection area. Pain scores, the consumption of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), and other adverse effects were assessed at 1, 6, 24, and 48 h postoperatively. Patients in group L showed lower pain scores than those of group C at 1 h (50 [0-100] vs. 80 [20-100]; p = 0.004), 6 h (30 [0-90] vs. 70 [30-90]; p < 0.001), 24 h (30 [0-80] vs. 50 [10-80]; p = 0.016) and 48 h (10 [0-80] vs. 30 [10-80]; p < 0.001) postoperatively. PCA consumption of group L was less than that of group C at 6, 24, and 48 h after surgery. There were no significant differences in postoperative nausea-vomiting, headache, or dizziness. Local anesthetic-related adverse effects were not reported. Levobupivacaine spray on the operative field at the end of BABA RoT reduced postoperative pain and PCA consumption without adverse events.