Comparison of the effects of intravenous lignocaine and ketamine on postoperative pain after lower abdominal surgeries under general anaesthesia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: As a component of multimodal analgesia, the administration of systemic lignocaine and ketamine is a well-known technique. This study was designed to compare the effect of intravenous lignocaine and ketamine on postoperative pain in the patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries under general anaesthesia. METHODS: Total 126 patients, aged between18 to 60 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II, were randomly allocated into lignocaine (Group L), ketamine (Group K), or control (Group C). We assessed the mean fentanyl consumption 24 hours postoperatively, visual analogue score (VAS), time to first rescue analgesia, haemodynamic parameters, postoperative complications patient satisfaction score, and duration of hospital stay among three groups. RESULTS: The mean fentanyl consumption in first 24 hours postoperatively was higher in group C (194.65 ± 48.48 μg) compared to group L (139.69 ± 46.96 μg) and group K (161.37 ± 46.31 μg) (P < 0.05). The VAS pain scores were lower in group L and group K compared to group C (P < 0.05). The time to first rescue analgesia was prolonged in group L and group K as compared to group C (P < 0.05). The patients were more satisfied in group L and group K as compared to group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The mean fentanyl consumption in 24 hours postoperatively and pain intensity were less with intraoperative lignocaine and ketamine infusion with improved patient satisfaction in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia.