Interpleural catheter for analgesia after cholecystectomy: the surgical perspective

Sixteen otherwise healthy women undergoing cholecystectomy were randomized to receive postoperative analgesia either by continuous infusion of papaveretum (n = 8), or by continuous interpleural infusion of bupivacaine (n = 8). Postoperative pain was assessed by linear analogue and ventilatory capacity. Changes in body protein were measured by in vivo neutron activation analysis. Clinical course was also noted. Pain scores were significantly lower in the interpleural group over the first 48 h (P less than 0.02). Ventilatory capacity was also significantly better for the first 24 h (P less than 0.025). There was no evidence of shortened postoperative ileus; hospital stay and postoperative fatigue were similar for the two groups. Weight and protein losses over a 2 week period were similar in the two groups. It is concluded that the apparent advantages in patient comfort and mobility offered by interpleural infusion are most marked in the first 48 h postoperatively, with an advantage in ventilatory capacity over the first 24 h.