Authors: Bae DS et al
Published in Head Neck. 2015 Mar
BACKGROUND:
We evaluated the effects of ropivacaine for pain relief after robotic thyroid surgery (RoT).
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Patients (n = 108) scheduled for RoT were randomized into ropivacaine (n = 54) or control (n = 54) groups. After surgery, 40mL of 0.25% ropivacaine or 0.9% saline (control) was instilled into the skin flap. Postoperative pain intensity (visual analog scale; VAS), analgesic requirements (fentanyl), and adverse events were assessed at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours postoperatively.
RESULTS:
103 patients completed the study protocol. VAS scores were lower in the ropivacaine group than control group (P = 0.010); however, VAS scores were not significantly different after 8 hours postoperatively. Total analgesic consumption was higher in controls than ropivacaine-treated patients (P = 0.01). Adverse events did not differ between the two groups.
CONCLUSION:
Ropivacaine instillation after RoT reduces acute postoperative pain and analgesic requirements without adverse events.
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