Preemptive submucosal infiltration with ropivacaine for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

To evaluate the preemptive analgesic effect of submucosal infiltration of ropivacaine for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

Randomized controlled trial.

Comprehensive clinical center and academic hospital.

Fifty consecutive male patients scheduled for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty were divided randomly into group A and group B. In group A, 4 mL of 0.33% ropivacaine and normal saline with epinephrine was preincisionally injected under the mucosa on both sides of the tonsillar fossa, soft palate, and the lower part of palatoglossal arch, whereas the upper and middle parts of the palatoglossal arch and the upper part of the palatopharyngeal arch were infiltrated with 2 mL of the same mixture. In group B, an identical volume of normal saline with epinephrine was administered. In both groups, postoperative pain was initially controlled by intravenous morphine titration until patient-controlled analgesia with morphine could be used. Cumulative patient-controlled analgesic morphine consumption; visual analog scale scores at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively at rest and during swallowing; and opioid-related adverse effects were recorded.

The visual analog score was lower at rest during the 48-hour postoperative period and during swallowing within the first 12 hours for group A versus group B (P < .05). Patients in group A required 44.1%, 38.2%, and 41.1% less morphine during the first 24 hours, 24 hours to 48 hours, and 48 hours postoperatively, respectively, and fewer patients experienced nausea, vomiting, and pruritus (P < .05).

Preemptive submucosal infiltration with 0.33% ropivacaine effectively controlled pain after uvulopalato-pharyngoplasty.