Evaluation of post-operative analgesia following laparoscopic application of Filshie clips.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of injecting 1% lignocaine into the subserosal aspect of the cornual end of the fallopian tubes to control post-operative pain after laparoscopic Filshie clip application.

DESIGN

A double blind, randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

The day surgery unit of the Dunedin Public Hospital, Otago, New Zealand.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-nine women attending the public hospital requesting sterilisation.

INTERVENTIONS

The experimental group received an infiltration of 1% lignocaine into the subserosal aspect of the cornual end of the fallopian tubes. The control group received an infiltration of normal saline in the same site.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The use of post-operative pethidine and the scores obtained on a modification of the McGill present pain intensity score, a visual analogue scale of present pain, a pain relief score and comparisons of time to first analgesia use.

RESULTS

The use of pethidine in the experimental group was significantly reduced [P = 0.001] Pain relief scores indicated significant benefit from the intervention. The time to first analgesic use was significantly greater in the experimental group.

CONCLUSION

Lignocaine infiltration at the cornual end of the fallopian tubes during laparoscopic Filshie clip application is highly effective in producing post-operative pain relief.