Cesarean Section Wound Infiltration with Local Lidocaine for Postoperative Pain Relief

Abstract

Post-caesarean section pain is an important issue in obstetrics. Several studies have shown the importance of adequate postoperative analgesia on mobilization, rehabilitation, and decreasing the length of hospital stay. Large amounts of opioid analgesic drugs are often required in the management of intense post-operative pain. However this option is associated with many side effects. The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of cesarean section wound infiltration subcutaneous with local lidocaine on post-operative pain relief and its effectiveness on starting early ambulation. Populations of the study were comprised of 200 pregnant full term female, going to have cesarean section. All patients had cesarean section under general anesthesia and received post-operative analgesia declofenac sodium 75ml IM every 12 hours, additional rescue analgesia in form of pethidine 50mg IM upon patient request. Pain was assessed using a 100 point visual analogue scale (VAS) after 1, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours post-operatively. The amount of pethidine consumed after 1, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours was calculated.