Effect of perioperative infusion of lidocaine vs. dexmedetomidine on reduced consumption of postoperative analgesics after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain is the most common complaint of patients following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Intravenous lidocaine has analgesic, anti-hyperalgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects, and dexmedetomidine has anti-nociceptive and analgesic sparing effects. We evaluated the effects of perioperative intravenous infusion of lidocaine and dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain control and analgesic consumption after LC. METHODS: Eighty-four patients, aged 20-60 years, who were undergoing elective LC were assigned randomly to three groups (n = 28 in each). The patients in group L received an intravenous lidocaine bolus of 1.5 mg/kg and then continuous infusion of 2 mg/kg/hr. The group D received an intravenous dexmedetomidine bolus of 1 microg/kg, followed by continuous infusion of 0.4 microg/kg/hr. The group N received saline as described for group L. Bolus doses were given during the 10 minutes before the induction of anesthesia, followed by continuous infusion until end of the surgery. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score and postoperative analgesics consumption were evaluated during 24 hours after the surgery. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in VAS score among the groups during the first 24 hr after LC. The amount of fentanyl consumption in the post-anesthesia care unit was significantly less in groups L and D compared to group N. CONCLUSIONS: Both perioperative intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine and lidocaine reduced postoperative requirements of fentanyl in the early post-operative period after LC. However, there was no significant difference between dexmedetomidine and lidocaine in the analgesic sparing effect.