The Impact of Laparoscopic Intraperitoneal Instillation of Ropivacaine in Enhancing Respiratory Recovery and Reducing Acute Postoperative Pain in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Double-Blinded Randomised Control; RELiEVE Trial

Laparoscopic intraperitoneal instillation of local anaesthetic in bariatric surgery proven to reduce postoperative pain. Limited data are available regarding the use of instillation ropivacaine and its impact on the recovery of respiratory effort. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic intraperitoneal instillation of ropivacaine in reducing acute postoperative pain and enhancing the recovery of respiratory effort in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

This double-blinded RCT enrolled 110 patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM from November 2020 to May 2021. Any patients with previous abdominal surgery, chronic kidney disease, or liver disease were excluded. The patients were randomised into two groups: (i) the IPLA group which received ropivacaine intraperitoneal instillation at the dissected left crus and (ii) the placebo group (sterile water instillation). Perioperative analgesia was standardised. The first 24-h postoperative pain was assessed using a VAS. The respiratory effort was assessed using incentive spirometry simultaneously.

Total of 110 patients were recruited. The VAS score was lower with an enhanced recovery of respiratory effort in the local anaesthetic group compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05) within the first 24 h postoperatively. In addition, the placebo group required additional postoperative analgesia (P < 0.05). No side effects were reported with the use of intraperitoneal instillation of ropivacaine.

The use of intraperitoneal instillation of ropivacaine in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is recommended as it is safe, effectively reduces acute postoperative pain, and enhances the recovery of respiratory effort postoperatively.