Abstract :
[en] The concept of postoperative acute rehabilitation was introduced to accelerate postoperative
recovery and improve outcome. We investigated whether intravenous lidocaine infusion, which decreases postoperative
pain and speeds the return of bowel function, can be used instead of epidural analgesia in an acute rehabilitation protocol
for patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy.
Methods : Twenty eight consecutive patients scheduled for laparoscopic colectomy were prospectively included in this
case series study. Segmental colectomy was performed only for benign pathology. Intraoperative opioid use was
restricted. After a bolus injection of lidocaine 1.5 mg·kg-1, an infusion (2 mg·kg-1·h-1, IV) was started before pneumoperitoneum.
Balanced analgesia was used to reduce postoperative opioid consumption. Patients were allowed to
drink 6 h postoperatively. The day after surgery, patients were allowed to eat a normal breakfast. Enforced mobilisation
and ambulation were required from the patients. Our goal was to discharge patients within 3 days after surgery.
Postoperative pain was measured. Time to first flatus, defecation, and hospital discharge were recorded.
Results : Mean postoperative pain at rest and mobilisation remained below 30 mm on a 100 mm visual analogue scale.
Time to first flatus, defecation, and hospital discharge were 29 ± 13 h, 38 ± 13 h, and 3.0 ± 1.0 days, respectively.
Conclusion : Acute rehabilitation after laparoscopic colectomy using IV lidocaine gives similar outcomes to those
reported using epidural analgesia.
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