Systemic lidocaine decreased the perioperative opioid analgesic requirements but failed to reduce discharge time after ambulatory surgery.
BACKGROUND
In this randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial, we evaluated whether systemic lidocaine would reduce pain and time to discharge in ambulatory surgery patients.


METHODS
Sixty-seven patients were enrolled to receive lidocaine or saline infusion perioperatively.


RESULTS
Length of postanesthesia care unit (PACU) stay did not differ between groups. Intraoperative opioid use was significantly less in the lidocaine group, both in the PACU and during the total study period but not after discharge. In the PACU, patients in the lidocaine group reported less pain (visual analog scale score 3.1 +/- 2.04 vs 4.5 +/- 2.9; P = 0.043). There were no differences in postoperative nausea and vomiting.


CONCLUSIONS
Perioperative systemic lidocaine significantly reduces opioid requirements in the ambulatory setting without affecting time to discharge.
McKay
Allannah
A
Department of Anesthesia, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0710, USA.
Gottschalk
Antje
A
Ploppa
Annette
A
Durieux
Marcel E
ME
Groves
Danja S
DS
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007902:Length of Stay; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine