Effect of intraoperative magnesium sulphate infusion on pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

INTRODUCTION The aim of the study is to evaluate the analgesic efficiency of perioperative magnesium sulphate infusion in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). METHODS In a randomized, double-blind trial study, 83 patients were divided into two groups. Group MT received 50 mg/kg i.v. magnesium sulphate in 100 ml of 0.9% normal saline and Group T received the same volume of isotonic saline during the intraoperative period. The cumulative post-operative tramadol consumption was measured to assess the analgesic effect using a patient-controlled analgesia device. Pain intensities at rest and while coughing were evaluated at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h post-operatively. RESULTS The pain scores in Group MT were significantly lower than Group T at 0, 4, and 12 h post-operatively. The average of visual analogue scale at rest and during cough during 24 h post-operatively was found to be statistically significant between groups. The total dose of tramadol the 24-h period in Group MT and Group T was found to be 281.34 +/- 90.82 and 317.46 +/- 129.59, respectively. CONCLUSION Per-operative 50 mg/kg magnesium sulphate infusion is effective in reducing post-operative pain in patients undergoing LC.