title: Comparing the impact of intraperitoneal hydrocortisone with bupivacaine on postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postoperative pain is a major complaint following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the impact of intraperitoneal hydrocortisone with intraperitoneal bupivacaine on pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double blind clinical trial, 63 candidates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly allocated to receive intraperitoneal instillation of either 100 mg bupivacaine in 250 mL normal saline (n = 32) or 100 mg hydrocortisone in 250 mL normal saline (n = 31) before insufflation of CO2 into the peritoneum for postoperative pain relief. Patients were investigated regarding abdominal and shoulder pain using (visual analog scale) VAS in recovery room and at 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively. Patients were also followed regarding postoperative analgesic requirements, nausea and vomiting, and return of bowel function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty patients completed the study. Patients in the hydrocortisone group had no statistically significant abdominal and shoulder pain scores compared to the bupivacaine group. The patients were similar regarding postoperative analgesic requirements, return of bowel function, nausea and vomiting. No adverse effect was detected in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intraperitoneal administration of hydrocortisone is as effective as bupivacaine to reduce pain and analgesic requirements after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amini
authors.affiliation: Department Of Surgery, Imam-Ali Educational Hospital, Zahedan University Of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Amene
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sabzi Sarvestani
keywords: Bupivacaine; Cholecystectomy; Hydrocortisone; Intraperitoneal Injection; Postoperative Pain