title: Intravenous lignocaine infusion facilitates acute rehabilitation after laparoscopic colectomy in the Chinese patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intravenous infusion of lignocaine has emerged in recent years as a feasible, cost-effective, and safe method to provide postoperative analgesia. There is, however, no literature about this perioperative pain control modality in Chinese patients. This study aimed to determine whether perioperative intravenous lignocaine safely reduces postoperative pain, shortens postoperative ileus, and reduces the length of hospital stay in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between September 2012 and May 2015, 16 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer and received a 1% lignocaine infusion for 24 hours postoperatively were studied. After surgery, categorical pain scores were obtained immediately, followed by hourly pain scores at rest. Pain scores at rest and with mobilisation, and patient satisfaction score were documented on postoperative day 1. Return of bowel function was measured by time of first flatus and bowel opening. The patient's rehabilitation was assessed by time taken to tolerate diet, full mobilisation, and length of hospital stay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median (interquartile range) self-reported pain scores at 2 hours and 6 hours after surgery were 1.5 (0-4) and 2 (0-3), respectively. The median pain scores at rest and mobilisation on postoperative day 1 were 1 (0-2.5) and 2 (2.5-5), respectively, with a median satisfaction score of 7.5 (7-9). The median times to first flatus and first bowel opening were 21 (18-35) hours and 3 (1-3) days, respectively. No patient had postoperative ileus. The median times to tolerating diet and mobilisation were 1 (1-1) day and 2 (2-3) days, respectively. The median postoperative stay was 6 (5-8) days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravenous lignocaine is a safe and effective postoperative analgesic in a Chinese population. It enhances the rehabilitation process for patients following laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Jordan, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: M Wh
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Operating Service, North District Hospital, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: D Yl
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Or
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, North District Hospital, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: A Cf
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, North District Hospital, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: D Ck
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Operating Service, North District Hospital, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, North District Hospital, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: M Hy
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, North District Hospital, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: R Sk
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, North District Hospital, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Leong
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003082:Colectomy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine
keywords: Analgesics; Colectomy; Laparoscopy