Yon, J.H., Choi, G.J., Kang, H., Park, J.M., & Yang, H.S. (2014). Intraoperative systemic lidocaine for pre-emptive analgesics in subtotal gastrectomy: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Canadian Journal of Surgery, 57, 175–182.
To assess the effect of intravenous lidocaine infusion in patients who received a subtotal gastrectomy
One group of patients received an intravenous lidocaine infusion preoperatively and throughout surgery, and the other group received normal saline.
Double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized study
The VAS pain scores (p < 0.05) and administration frequency of PCA (p < 0.05) were significantly lower in the lidocaine group until 24 hours after surgery, and fentanyl consumption (p < 0.05) was significantly lower in this group until 12 hours postoperatively compared to the placebo group. The total amount of consumed fentanyl (p = 0.007) and the total administration frequency of PCA (p = 0.003) were significantly lower in the lidocaine group than the control group.
In this study, intravenous lidocaine infusion preoperatively and throughout surgery reduced pain during the postoperative period after subtotal gastrectomy.
Nurses should be aware of the benefits of intravenous lidocaine infusion during certain surgical procedures, including subtotal gastrectomy, so they can advocate for the use of this intervention for their patients.