LAUSR

BACKGROUND Improving postoperative pain control may lead to improved outcomes including decreased opioid use, shorter hospital stays, and improved patient satisfaction. This study examined the effects of instilling intraperitoneal bupivacaine following laparoscopic appendectomy. METHODS In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, patients with appendicitis were randomized to receive either the bupivacaine or normal saline instilled at the appendectomy site prior to close. Postoperative pain scores, opioid doses and length of stay were recorded. RESULTS Pain scores were lower (mean 2.48 versus 3.8; p = 0.014), and postoperative opioid use was lower (mean 7.394 mg versus 16.921 mg; p = 0.007) in the bupivacaine group. CONCLUSIONS Instilling bupivacaine at the base of the cecum at the conclusion of laparoscopic appendectomy was associated with reducing postoperative pain scores and in hospital opioid use. STATEMENT This prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study enrolled subjects with acute appendicitis undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy. Subjects were randomized to receive either bupivacaine or normal saline intraperitoneally at the close of surgery. In the bupivacaine group, pain scores at 1 h were improved and inpatient postoperative opioid use was less.