BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of intravenous lidocaine in reducing acute pain after hysterectomy remains uncertain. The authors conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate the impact of intravenous lidocaine on posthysterectomy recovery.

METHODS

This study was completed based on the PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL), and Embase up to 27 July 2023. The authors identified RCTs involving hysterectomy patients comparing lidocaine to a placebo. Outcome measures included postoperative pain scores at rest and during movement, opioid consumption, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), improvements in functional gastrointestinal recovery, and Quality of Recovery scores.

RESULTS

Nine RCTs were included in the meta-analysis, comprising 352 patients who received intravenous lidocaine and 354 controls. The analysis revealed that intravenous lidocaine significantly reduced postoperative pain scores at rest at 2, 6, 8, and 24 h following hysterectomy, as well as postoperative opioid consumption within 24 h and PONV rates. Furthermore, no observed benefit was noted in shortening the time to first flatus with intravenous lidocaine administration posthysterectomy.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous lidocaine administration effectively reduces acute postoperative pain, opioid consumption, and PONV rates following hysterectomy. Lidocaine serves as an opioid-sparing agent, reducing the morphine equivalent dose while maintaining a similar degree of postoperative pain.