Systemic Lidocaine for Perioperative Analgesia: A Literature Review

Introduction and Background: Intravenous lidocaine has been increansingly used as pain treatment in anesthesiology. The aim of this study was to review the scientific literature on the use of lidocaine for perioperative analgesia, a recent technique and still under study to demonstrate its clinical implications. Methodology: Data were derived from MD Consult e Clinical Key (1998-2014). A total of 32 articles were selected. Results and Discussion: Lidocaine acts by changing the excitatory nerve impulse driving; decreasing visceral pain, central sensitization of pain and the immune response. Intravenous lidocaine with good clinical results were used in the dose of preoperative bolus 1,5 a 2 mg.kg-1followed by continuous infusion 1,5 a 3 mg.kg-1.h-1. Most of clinical trials were in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. It is wellestablished analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic properties of this local anesthetic; other of its beneficial effects were reduce consumption of volatile anesthetic and opioids, and fasten return of bowel function. Conclusion: Systemic lidocaine was able to promote great analgesia in surgical procedures. It is a low cost and very convenient alternative on perioperative pain treatment. More clinical controlled studies in different surgical intervention may yield more information about this analgesic approach.