Effect of perioperative lignocaine infusion on postoperative pain relief for laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair: A randomized controlled study

Introduction: The focus on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and opioid-free anesthesia has renewed interest in use of lignocaine. We evaluated postoperative pain relief following intravenous (IV) lignocaine administration in patients undergoing laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair (IPOM). Methods: Seventy patients were randomized into two groups. Group L patients were administered IV lignocaine infusion (1.5 mg/kg) at induction of anesthesia followed by infusion (1.5 mg/kg/h), until 1 hour in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Group P patients received equal volumes of normal saline IV infusion. We recorded hemodynamics, perioperative analgesic consumption, postoperative visual analog scores (VAS), incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), bowel function, patient satisfaction and length of hospital stay (LOS). Results: The hemodynamics in both groups were maintained. Group L had lower VAS scores as compared to Group P (P < .05). Intraoperative fentanyl consumption in Group L was significantly less than Group P (P = .029). Group L patients scored lower on the Likert scale in comparison to the patients of Group P at 0 hour (P = .013). Recovery of bowel function as assessed by time to pass first flatus was significantly shortened by IV lignocaine (P = .001). The perioperative administration of IV lignocaine resulted in decreased postoperative analgesic requirement and greater patient satisfaction scores. Conclusions: Perioperative IV lignocaine infusion provided good pain relief, hemodynamic stability and decreased perioperative analgesic consumption. PONV incidence decreased along with an early return of bowel function, reduced LOS and improved patient satisfaction in patients undergoing laparoscopic IPOM surgery.