Intravenous Lidocaine for the Prevention of Postoperative Catheter-Related Bladder Discomfort in Male Patients Undergoing Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors

BACKGROUND: Male patients undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) are prone to suffer from catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD). Lidocaine administration has been widely performed to reduce postoperative pain. Here, the effect of intravenous lidocaine administration on moderate-to-severe CRBD was evaluated in male patients undergoing TURBT.

METHODS: Patients were randomly allocated to receive intravenous lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg bolus dose followed by a 2 mg/kg/h continuous infusion during the intraoperative period, which was continued for 1 hour postsurgery; group L) or placebo (normal saline; group C). The primary outcome was moderate-to-severe CRBD at 0 hour postsurgery (on admission to the postanesthetic care unit), analyzed using the χ² test. The secondary outcome was opioid requirement during the 24-hour postoperative period. None, mild, and moderate-to-severe CRBD at 1, 2, and 6 hours postsurgery, postoperative pain, patient satisfaction, side effects of lidocaine and rescue medications (tramadol and fentanyl), and surgical complications were also assessed.

RESULTS: A total of 132 patients were included in the study (66 patients in each group). The incidence of moderate-to-severe CRBD at 0 hour postsurgery was significantly lower in group L than in group C (25.8% vs 66.7%, P < .001, relative risk: 0.386, 95% confidence interval: 0.248–0.602). Opioid requirements during the 24-hour postoperative period were significantly lower in group L than in group C (10.0 mg [interquartile range (IQR), 5.0–15.0 mg] vs 13.8 mg [IQR, 10.0–20.0 mg], P = .005). At 1 and 2 hours postsurgery (but not at 6 hours), the incidence of moderate-to-severe CRBD was significantly lower in group L than in group C (1 hour: 10.6% vs 27.3%, P = .026; 2 hours: 0.0% vs 15.2%, P = .003). Patient satisfaction was significantly greater in group L than in group C (5.0 [IQR, 4.8–6.0] vs 4.0 [IQR, 4.0–5.0], P < .001). No lidocaine-related side effects were reported. Rescue medication-related side effects and surgical complications did not differ significantly between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous lidocaine administration resulted in lower incidence of moderate-to-severe CRBD, lower opioid requirement, and higher patient satisfaction in male patients undergoing TURBT without evidence of significant side effects.