Application of intravenous lidocaine in patients undergoing operative hysteroscopy: a randomized, double-blind, controlled study

Abstract Background The role of intraoperative intravenous lidocaine infusion has been previously evaluated for pain relief, inflammatory response, and post-operative recovery, including in endoscopic surgery. The present study is a randomized double-blinded trial in which we evaluated whether intravenous lidocaine infusion would reduce postoperative pain, propofol requirement and remifentanil consumption in patients undergoing hysteroscopy surgery. Methods Eighty-five patients scheduled to undergo elective operative hysteroscopy surgery under general anesthesia were randomized into two groups. Group L included patients who received an intravenous lidocaine bolus 1.5mg/kg over 3 min followed by a continuous infusion at the rate of 2 mg/kg/h until surgery completed, and Group C received 0.9% normal saline solution at an equivalent rate. The depth of anesthesia was monitored using the Narcotrend, which was based on measurement of the patient’s cerebral electrical activity. Primary outcome of the study was postoperative hypogastric pain evaluating by visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes include propofol requirement and remifentanil requirement. Results VAS score of Group L was significantly lower than Group C at postoperative 0.5 h, 4 h, respectively (P < 0.05), while no obvious difference was found at postoperative 24 h. There was no difference between groups in propofol requirement, but Group L required less dosage of remifentanil than Group C (P < 0.05). Moreover, the incidence of throat pain was significantly lower in Group L. No adverse events associated with lidocaine was discovered. Conclusions Administration of intravenous lidocaine infusion as an adjuvant alleviated short-term postoperative hypogastric pain and throat pain, and reduced remifentanil requirement in patients undergoing operative hysteroscopy surgery.