Effects of intraperitoneal bupivacaine injection in laparoscopic appendectomy in children on post-operative pain: A controlled randomized double-blinded study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of local anesthetics administered intraperitoneally in laparoscopic appendectomy. METHODS: Patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy due to acute appendicitis were enrolled in the study. The children were divided into two groups. Intraperitoneal bupivacaine injection to appendectomy site and subdiaphragmatic area was performed after resection of appendix and aspirastion of intraperitoneal reactive fluid in Group 1 while Group 2 did not receive this therapy. The children were questioned by a nurse at postoperative 1(st), 6(th), 12(th), and 24(th) h. Pain scores (PS) (abdominal), abdominal wall incisional pain (IP), shoulder pain (SP), and first need for analgesics were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty children were enrolled to the study. There was no significant difference in PS values and IP values between the two groups (p>0.05). SP values at 12(th) and 24(th) h were significantly lower in Group 1 (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant reduce in analgesic need in Group 1 (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: Intraperitoneal bupivacaine instillation to surgery site and subdiaphragmatic area seems to reduce the SP post-operative and also reduce post-operative analgesic need. More meaningful results can be obtained with an increase in the number of patients.