Intraperitoneal ropivacaine and a gas drain: effects on postoperative pain in laparoscopic surgery

To assess the benefits of the combination of a gas drain and the instillation of local anesthetic on the incidence of pain after operative gynecologic laparoscopy.

Randomized control trial (Canadian Task Force classification I).

Tertiary referral center.

One hundred twenty-eight patients undergoing operative gynecologic laparoscopy procedures lasting less than 105 minutes.

Postoperatively, one group received a blocked drain and saline placed intraperitoneally; a second group was given a blocked drain and ropivacaine; a third group received a patent drain and saline; and a fourth was given a patent drain and ropivacaine.

Visual analogue pain scores (VAS) were measured at 1, 2, 4, and 12 hours and day 1 to day 7. Also measured was opioid consumption at 4 hours, nausea, and activity scores. We found a statistically significant improvement in pain scores at 2 and 4 hours in the group allocated to receive a patent drain and ropivacaine.

We recommend the use of a gas drain and ropivacaine to reduce postoperative pain.