INFLUENCE OF LOCAL INFILTRATION ANALGESIA ON POSTOPERATIVE PAIN IN ABDOMINOPLASTY PATIENTS

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Anesthesiology
• Pain Management

Background:

• Abdominoplasty is a common cosmetic procedure.
• Acute postoperative pain is a significant concern for patients undergoing abdominoplasty.
• Effective pain management is crucial for same-day surgical recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of local infiltrating analgesia (LIA) using levobupivacaine for managing acute postoperative pain after abdominoplasty.
• To assess the impact of LIA on pain levels in the abdominal wall, umbilical area, and lower abdominal scar.
• To determine if LIA influences the need for additional analgesics and the duration of stay in day surgery facilities.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 55 patients aged 20-72 undergoing abdominoplasty between January 2016 and February 2019.
• All patients received general anesthesia and tumescent fluid.
• Local infiltrating analgesia with 40 ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine was administered before abdominal wall closure.

Main Results:

• Postoperative pain was reduced in the abdominal wall, umbilical region, and lower abdominal scar post-anesthesia.
• Acute postoperative pain occurred in all participants.
• 85% of patients required additional analgesics, but only 3% needed them on the first postoperative day.
• Discharge occurred within 48 hours for all patients.

Conclusions:

• Local infiltrating analgesia with levobupivacaine is effective in reducing acute postoperative pain after abdominoplasty.
• While additional analgesics may be needed, LIA does not appear to extend the length of stay in day surgery settings.
• LIA is a valuable adjunct for pain management in abdominoplasty patients within a day surgery framework.