Randomized placebo-controlled trial of local anaesthetic infusion in day-case inguinal hernia repair.
BACKGROUND
This study investigated the efficacy of local anaesthetic wound perfusion following day-case inguinal hernia repair.


METHODS
Seventy-two patients entered a randomized controlled trial with three patient groups: group 1, pump containing bupivacaine; group 2, pump containing normal saline; and group 3, control group without a pump. All patients had a Lichtenstein hernia repair together with ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve blocks and were prescribed oral analgesia. Postoperative pain was assessed over 5 days using a visual analogue scale.


RESULTS
Patients who had a local anaesthetic infusion had significantly less pain than either the placebo or control groups. This was greatest during the first 48 h (day 1, P = 0.028 and 0.011 respectively; day 2, P = 0.012 and 0.037 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
A portable infusion pump for the delivery of local anaesthetic reduced pain after day-case inguinal hernia repair.
Oakley
M J
MJ
Day Surgery Units, Stobhill Hospital Trust, Glasgow, UK.
Smith
J S
JS
Anderson
J R
JR
Fenton-Lee
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine