Postoperative Pain Relief: The Comparison of Bupivacaine before Incision and Near Closure of Wound

Abstract

Background: Pain is the most common and most difficult problem faced by patients after operation. Due to inadequate management 30-70% patients suffer from post-operative pain. Acute pain resulting in chronic pain reduces quality of life and creates economic burden. Aim: To compare post-operative pain relief between infiltration of 0.25% bupivacaine into skin and subcutaneous tissue in the line of incision before incision and along edges of wound near completion of procedure. Study design: Randomized control trial Methodology: Sixty four patients were randomly divided into two groups i.e. (0.25% Bupivacaine 6 to 30ml) at the site of incision into skin and subcutaneous tissue Preincision (Group P) and (0.25% Bupivacaine 6 to 30ml) along the edges of wound at near closure of procedure (Group C). Intensity of pain was assessed on visual analogue scale in the recovery room, 3, 6 and 24 hours postoperatively.The time of first dose of rescue analgesia within 24 hours was also noted in both groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between two groups regarding age (p-value = 0.324), gender i.e. males (p=0.545) females (p=0.763) and duration of operation (P=Value=0.208). The mean time of rescue analgesia in Group P and Group C in minutes was 318.12±149.47 and 374.84±125.67 respectively (p value =1.5) reflecting no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Postoperative analgesia and analgesic requirement do not differ significantly whether bupivacaine is infiltrated before incision or just before closure of wound. Keywords: Postoperative pain, bupivacaine, rescue analgesia, Preincision