Postoperative pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial of preincisional infiltration and intraperitoneal instillation of levobupivacaine 0.25%.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to test the use of preincisional and intraperitoneal levobupivacaine (L-B) 0.25% in laparoscopic cholecystectomies for postoperative analgesia.

METHODS: A total of 108 patients under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive preincisional local infiltration of 20 ml solution and intraperitoneal instillation of another 20 ml solution. Group A received for local infiltration and intraperitoneal instillation normal saline (NS). Group B received for local infiltration L-B 0.25% and for intraperitoneal instillation NS. Group C received for local infiltration NS and for intraperitoneal instillation L-B 0.25%. Group D received both for local infiltration and intraperitoneal instillation L-B 0.25%. Abdominal and right shoulder pain were recorded for 24 h postoperatively.

RESULTS: The pain scores were lower in group D than in the other groups during rest, cough, and movement (p < 0.05). Rescue analgesic treatment was significantly lower in patients of group D (35%) as compared with that of group A (84%) (p < 0.05). The incidence of right shoulder pain was significantly lower in groups C (22%) and D (18%) than in any of the other groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The combination of preincisional local infiltration and intraperitoneal instillation of L-B 0.25% shows an advantage for postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.