Intraperitoneal and periportal injection of bupivacaine for pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

PURPOSE To study the analgesic efficacy of intraperitoneal and periportal injection of bupivacaine following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS 40 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into two groups of 20 each. Group A (study group) received 40 ml of intraperitoneal injection of 0.25% bupivacaine and 20 ml of same concentration in 4 ports, 5 ml each at the end of surgery. Group B (control) received no treatment. Post operative patient monitoring and pain assessment was done by another doctor blinded to the procedure using VAS score at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 24 hours after surgery. Pethidine 50 mg intramuscular was given as rescue analgesic when demanded by patient within first 24 hours. RESULTS When VAS score was analyzed in the two groups, the study group had less scores compared to control group though it was statistically not significant (p>0.05). The rescue analgesic requirement was significantly less in study group (p<0.00). CONCLUSION Intraperitoneal and periportal injection of bupivacaine is effective in decreasing pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.