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The Effect of Perianal Tramadol Infiltration on Postoperative Pain Following Hemorrhoidectomy.
Hatami, M, Talebi, M, Heiranizadeh, N, Vaziribozorg, S
The American surgeon. 2022;(1):98-102
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The present study was attempted to evaluate the effect of perianal infiltration of tramadol on postoperative pain in patients undergoing hemorrhoidectomy. METHOD This double-blind clinical trial study was carried out on 90 patients with grade 3 and 4 hemorrhoids undergoing hemorrhoidectomy. Patients were randomly assigned into 3 groups of control or bupivacaine or tramadol. Before the surgery, perianal infiltration of .25% bupivacaine or tramadol or normal saline was prescribed to each group, respectively. Data on pain severity (based on the visual analog scale (VAS), the duration of surgery, sedation score, pain at the first defecation, first request time for additional analgesia, nausea and vomiting, and analgesic intakes) were evaluated and analyzed. RESULTS Duration of surgery was almost similar in all 3 groups (P = .974). The results showed a significant difference in pain score between 3 groups (P ≤.05) at all times after the surgery. In addition, the means of sedation scores (P = .03), pain score at the first defecation (P = .001), the time to first analgesic request (P = .001), and ketorolac administration times (P = .01) were significantly different between 3 groups. Finally, no complication was reported regarding postoperative nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSION Given the notable efficacy of tramadol in reducing pain after hemorrhoidectomy and its minor side effects, this medication is suggested as an effective topical anesthetic to decrease pain after hemorrhoidectomy.
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Posterior Quadratus Lumborum Block in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Brixel, SM, Biboulet, P, Swisser, F, Choquet, O, Aarab, Y, Nguyen, H, Bringuier, S, Capdevila, X
Anesthesiology. 2021;(5):722-733
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BACKGROUND Pain management is important for ensuring early mobilization after hip arthroplasty; however, the optimal components remain controversial. Recently, the quadratus lumborum block has been proposed as an analgesic option. The current study tested the hypothesis that the posterior quadratus lumborum block combined with multimodal analgesia decreases morphine consumption after hip arthroplasty. METHODS This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Before general anesthesia, 100 participating patients scheduled for elective total hip arthroplasty were randomly allocated to receive a 30-ml injection posterior to the quadratus lumborum muscle with either 0.33% ropivacaine (n = 50) or normal saline (n = 50). For all patients, multimodal analgesia included systematic administration of acetaminophen, ketoprofen, and a morphine intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. The primary outcome was total intravenous morphine consumption in the first 24 h. Secondary outcomes recorded intraoperative sufentanil consumption; morphine consumption in the postanesthesia care unit; pain scores at extubation and at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h; motor blockade; time to first standing and ambulation; hospital length of stay; and adverse events. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the 24-h total morphine consumption (ropivacaine group, median [interquartile range], 13 [7 to 21] versus saline group, 16 [9 to 21] mg; median difference, -1.5; 95% CI, -5 to 2; P = 0.337). Pain scores were not different between the groups (β = -0.4; 95% CI, -0.9 to 0.2; P = 0.199). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in intraoperative sufentanil consumption, morphine consumption in the postanesthesia care unit, motor blockade, times to first standing (median difference, 0.83 h; 95% CI, -1.7 to 3.4; P = 0.690) and ambulation (median difference, -1.85 h; 95% CI, -4.5 to 0.8; P = 0.173), hospital length of stay, and adverse events. CONCLUSIONS After elective hip arthroplasty, neither morphine consumption nor pain scores were reduced by the addition of a posterior quadratus lumborum block to a multimodal analgesia regimen.
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Comparative Efficacy of 6 Topical Pharmacological Agents for Preventive Interventions of Postoperative Sore Throat After Tracheal Intubation: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.
Wang, G, Qi, Y, Wu, L, Jiang, G
Anesthesia and analgesia. 2021;(1):58-67
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BACKGROUND Topical pharmacological agents typically used to treat postoperative sore throat (POST) after tracheal intubation include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, lidocaine, Glycyrrhiza (licorice), and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists (including ketamine and magnesium). However, the optimal prophylactic drug remains elusive. METHODS The literature published before September 8, 2019 was searched on the PubMed, the Embase, the Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) covering topical prophylactic medications for patients with POST were included. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to assess the quality of evidence. The primary outcome is the risk of POST. Combining both direct and indirect evidence, a network meta-analysis was performed to assess odds ratios (ORs) between the topical pharmacological agents and surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curve for the treatment-based outcomes. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42020158985. RESULTS Sixty-two RCTs (at least 73% of which were double blinded) that included a total of 6708 subjects and compared 6 categories of drugs and/or placebos were ultimately enrolled. All preventive interventions except lidocaine were more effective than placebo at the 4 time intervals. Lidocaine (OR: 0.35, 95% credible interval [CrI], 0.16-0.79) has a greater POST preventative intervention effect than the placebo at a time interval of only 2 to 3 hours after surgery. Relative to lidocaine, the risk of POST except 2 to 3 hours was lower for the following treatments: corticosteroids, ketamine, magnesium, NSAIDs, and Glycyrrhiza. The NMDA receptor antagonists studied here included ketamine and magnesium. Magnesium generally demonstrated greater benefit than ketamine at 24 hours postsurgery/extubation (OR: 0.41, 95% CrI, 0.18-0.92). Compared with ketamine, corticosteroids were associated with a reduced risk of POST during the 4 to 6 hours (OR: 0.40, 95% CrI, 0.19-0.83) and 24 hours (OR: 0.34, 95% CrI, 0.16-0.72) time intervals. During the 2 to 3 hours time interval, Glycyrrhiza (OR: 0.38, 95% CrI, 0.15-0.97) was more efficacious than magnesium. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis shows that, among the 6 topical medications studied, lidocaine is not optimal for topical use to prevent POST. Glycyrrhizin, corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and NMDA receptor antagonists (ketamine and magnesium) are associated with a reduced postoperative pharyngeal pain across the 4 postsurgical time intervals studied, all of which can be chosen according to the clinical experience of the anesthesiologists and the patient preferences and are recommended for the reduction of postoperative throat pain.
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Medical treatment of SUNCT and SUNA: a prospective open-label study including single-arm meta-analysis.
Lambru, G, Stubberud, A, Rantell, K, Lagrata, S, Tronvik, E, Matharu, MS
Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry. 2021;(3):233-241
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INTRODUCTION The management of short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA) remains challenging in view of the paucity of data and evidence-based treatment recommendations are missing. METHODS In this single-centre, non-randomised, prospective open-label study, we evaluated and compared the efficacy of oral and parenteral treatments for SUNCT and SUNA in a real-world setting. Additionally, single-arm meta-analyses of the available reports of SUNCT and SUNA treatments were conducted. RESULTS The study cohort comprised 161 patients. Most patients responded to lamotrigine (56%), followed by oxcarbazepine (46%), duloxetine (30%), carbamazepine (26%), topiramate (25%), pregabalin and gabapentin (10%). Mexiletine and lacosamide were effective in a meaningful proportion of patients but poorly tolerated. Intravenous lidocaine given for 7-10 days led to improvement in 90% of patients, whereas only 27% of patients responded to a greater occipital nerve block. No statistically significant differences in responders were observed between SUNCT and SUNA. In the meta-analysis of the pooled data, topiramate was found to be significantly more effective in SUNCT than SUNA patients. However, a higher proportion of SUNA than SUNCT was considered refractory to medications at the time of the topiramate trial, possibly explaining this isolated difference. CONCLUSIONS We propose a treatment algorithm for SUNCT and SUNA for clinical practice. The response to sodium channel blockers indicates a therapeutic overlap with trigeminal neuralgia, suggesting that sodium channels dysfunction may be a key pathophysiological hallmark in these disorders. Furthermore, the therapeutic similarities between SUNCT and SUNA further support the hypothesis that these conditions are variants of the same disorder.
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A Prospective Randomized Trial of Surgeon-Administered Intraoperative Transversus Abdominis Plane Block With Bupivacaine Against Liposomal Bupivacaine: The TINGLE Trial.
Truong, A, Fleshner, PR, Mirocha, JM, Tran, HP, Shane, R, Zaghiyan, KN
Diseases of the colon and rectum. 2021;(7):888-898
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transversus abdominis plane blocks are increasingly used to achieve opioid-sparing analgesia after colorectal surgery. Traditionally, bupivacaine was the long-acting analgesic of choice, but the addition of dexamethasone and/or epinephrine to bupivacaine may extend block duration. Liposomal bupivacaine has also been suggested to achieve an extended analgesia duration of 72 hours but is significantly more expensive. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare pain control between laparoscopic transversus abdominis plane blocks using liposomal bupivacaine versus bupivacaine with epinephrine and dexamethasone. DESIGN This was a parallel-group, single-institution, randomized clinical trial. SETTINGS The study was conducted at a single tertiary medical center. PATIENTS Consecutive patients between October 2018 to October 2019, ages 18 to 90 years, undergoing minimally invasive colorectal surgery with multimodal analgesia were included. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive a laparoscopic transversus abdominis plane block with liposomal bupivacaine or bupivacaine with epinephrine and dexamethasone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was total oral morphine equivalents administered in the first 48 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, time to ambulation and solid diet, hospital length of stay, and complications. RESULTS A total of 102 patients (50 men) with a median age of 42 years (interquartile range, 29-60 y) consented and were randomly assigned. The primary end point, total oral morphine equivalents administered in the first 48 hours, was not significantly different between the liposomal bupivacaine group (median = 69 mg) and the bupivacaine with epinephrine and dexamethasone group (median = 47 mg; difference in medians = 22 mg, (95% CI, -17 to 49 mg); p = 0.60). There were no significant differences in pain scores, time to ambulation, time to diet tolerance, time to bowel movement, length of stay, overall complications, or readmission rate between groups. There were no treatment-related adverse outcomes. LIMITATIONS This study was not placebo controlled or blinded. CONCLUSIONS This first randomized trial comparing laparoscopic transversus abdominis plane block with liposomal bupivacaine or bupivacaine with epinephrine and dexamethasone showed that a liposomal bupivacaine block does not provide superior or extended analgesia in the era of standardized multimodal analgesia protocols.See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B533. ESTUDIO PROSPECTIVO Y RANDOMIZADO DE BLOQUEO DEL PLANO MUSCULAR TRANSVERSO DEL ABDOMEN REALIZADO POR EL CIRUJANO CON BUPIVACANA VERSUS BUPIVACANA LIPOSOMAL ESTUDIO TINGLE ANTECEDENTESEl bloqueo anestésico del plano muscular transverso del abdomen se utiliza cada vez más para lograr una analgesia con menos consumo de opioides después de cirugía colorrectal. Tradicionalmente, la Bupivacaína era el analgésico de acción prolongada de elección, pero al agregarse Dexametasona y/o Adrenalina a la Bupivacaína se puede prolongar la duración del bloqueo. También se ha propuesto que la Bupivacaína liposomal logra una duración prolongada de la analgesia de 72 horas, pero es significativamente más cara.OBJETIVOComparar el control del dolor entre bloqueo laparoscópico del plano de los transversos del abdomen usando Bupivacaína liposomal versus Bupivacaína con Adrenalina y Dexametasona.DISEÑO:Estudio clínico prospectivo y randomizado de una sola institución en grupos paralelos.AJUSTECentro médico terciario único.PACIENTESTodos aquellos pacientes entre 18 y 90 años sometidos a cirugía colorrectal mínimamente invasiva con analgesia multimodal, entre octubre de 2018 a octubre de 2019 incluidos de manera consecutiva.INTERVENCIONESLos pacientes fueron seleccionados aleatoriamente 1:1 para recibir un bloqueo laparoscópico del plano de los transversos del abdomen con Bupivacaína liposomal o Bupivacaína con Adrenalina y Dexametasona.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADOEl resultado primario fue el total de equivalentes de morfina oral administradas en las primeras 48 horas después de la operación. Los resultados secundarios incluyeron puntuaciones de dolor, inicio de dieta sólida, tiempo de inicio a la deambulación, la estadía hospitalaria y las complicaciones.RESULTADOSUn total de 102 pacientes (50 hombres) con una mediana de edad de 42 años (IQR 29-60) fueron incluidos aleatoriamente. El criterio de valoración principal, equivalentes de morfina oral total administrada en las primeras 48 horas, no fue significativamente diferente entre el grupo de Bupivacaína liposomal (mediana = 69 mg) y el grupo de Bupivacaína con Adrenalina y Dexametasona (mediana = 47 mg; diferencia en medianas = 22 mg, IC del 95% [-17] - 49 mg, p = 0,60). No hubo diferencias significativas en las puntuaciones de dolor, tiempo de inicio a la deambulación, el tiempo de tolerancia a la dieta sólida, el tiempo hasta el primer evacuado intestinal, la duración de la estadía hospitalaria, las complicaciones generales o la tasa de readmisión entre los grupos. No hubo resultados adversos relacionados con el tratamiento.LIMITACIONESEste estudio no fue controlado con placebo ni de manera cegada.CONCLUSIONESEste primer estudio prospectivo y randomizado que comparó el bloqueo del plano de los músculos transversos del abdomen por vía laparoscópica, utilizando Bupivacaína liposomal o Bupivacaína con Adrenalina y Dexametasona, demostró que el bloqueo de Bupivacaína liposomal no proporciona ni mejor analgesia ni un efecto mas prolongado.Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B533.
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The Analgesic Benefits of Ketorolac to Local Anesthetic Wound Infiltration Is Statistically Significant But Clinically Unimportant: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Yan, R, Fu, X, Ren, YF, Liu, H, You, FM, Shi, W, Jiang, YF
Advances in wound care. 2021;(11):583-595
Abstract
Objective: Even though ketorolac-infiltration is said to provide superior postoperative analgesic benefits in different surgical procedures, its safety and efficacy remain to be validated because of the lack of high-quality evidence. We aimed to summarize the efficacy and safety of ketorolac-infiltration based on published randomized-controlled trials (RCTs). Approach: This work followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews and the Cochrane Collaboration recommendations. We searched for RCTs evaluating the efficacy of ketorolac-infiltration in adults in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese databases, and Google Scholar. The two co-primary outcomes of this meta-analysis were rescue analgesic consumption in the 24-h postoperative period and rest pain scores. Results: Twelve trials (761 patients) were analyzed. Ketorolac-infiltration provided a clinically unimportant benefit in morphine consumption (mean difference, -2.81 mg; 95% confidence interval [CI], -5.11 to -0.50; p = 0.02; moderate-quality evidence). Low-to-moderate quality evidence supported a brief (2-6 h), clinically subtle, but statistically consistent effect of surgical site ketorolac-infiltration in reducing wound pain at rest. High-quality evidence supported shorter hospital stays for surgical patients receiving local ketorolac-infiltration when compared to controls (mean difference, -0.12 days; 95% CI, -0.17 to -0.08; p < 0.00001). Further, ketorolac-infiltration does not improve any opioid-related side effects. Innovation: Ketorolac-infiltration provides statistically significant but clinically unimportant benefits for improving postoperative wound pain. Conclusion: Overall, despite the fact that current moderate-to-high quality of evidence does not support routine using of ketorolac as an adjuvant to local anesthetic for wound infiltration, these findings underscore the importance of optimizing agents and sustained delivery parameters in postoperative local anesthetic practice. Clinical Trials.gov ID: CRD42021229095.
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Effect of the Combination of Ketorolac and Bupivacaine on Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery.
Jiang, Q, Huang, SQ, Jiao, J, Zhou, XM
Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research. 2020;:e925006
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study assessed the additional benefits of bupivacaine when combined with ketorolac for transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block after gynecological laparoscopic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS This randomized, observer-blind trial recruited 153 patients who underwent gynecological laparoscopic surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to receive bupivacaine combined with ketorolac 15 mg/side for TAP block (TK group), bupivacaine for TAP block and 30 mg postoperative intravenous ketorolac (T group), or 30 mg postoperative intravenous ketorolac alone (C group). The primary endpoints included consumption of sufentanil for 24 h postoperatively, actual press times of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump, and effective press times of the PCA pump, whereas the secondary endpoints included numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores at rest and during activity, satisfaction with analgesia, episodes of nausea and vomiting and length of hospital stay. RESULTS Sufentanil consumption, actual press times of the PCA pump, and effective press times of the PCA pump were lower in the TK and T groups than in the C group. NRS scores at rest and during activity at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours were significantly lower in the TK and T groups than in the C group. The TK and T groups showed greater satisfaction with analgesia than the C group, while the TK group showed greater overall satisfaction than the C group. Lengths of stay, rates of nausea and vomiting, and venting times did not differ significantly among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS Combined ketorolac and bupivacaine as TAP block improved the effectiveness of analgesia without increasing adverse events. Trial registration number: ChiCTR1900022577.
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Implementation of magnesium sulphate as an adjunct to multimodal analgesic approach for perioperative pain control in lumbar laminectomy surgery: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Tsaousi, G, Nikopoulou, A, Pezikoglou, I, Birba, V, Grosomanidis, V
Clinical neurology and neurosurgery. 2020;:106091
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of systemic intraoperative administration of magnesium sulphate when used in the context of a multimodal pain management plan on analgesics consumption and pain scores, and perioperative outcomes after lumbar laminectomy surgery. METHODS Seventy-four patients undergoing lumbar laminectomy were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were randomly allocated to receive magnesium (20 mg/kg iv given as bolus before anesthesia induction followed by 20 mg/kg/h civ until surgery completion) or saline. Hemodynamic variables and desflurane consumption were noted at predefined time-intervals intraoperatively. Primary outcome was postoperative cumulative analgesic consumption over 24 h, while pain intensity (assessed by Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h), intraoperative hemodynamics and opioid requirements, recovery profile, time to first analgesic request, and adverse effects constituted secondary end-points. RESULTS Demographics, surgery duration, desflurane requirements, and recovery profile were comparable between groups. Magnesium attenuated hemodynamic response during incision and emergence from anesthesia. Postoperative analgesics consumption in morphine iv equivalents (mean difference -9.24 [95 %CI -13.31, -5.17] mg; p = 0.001) and VAS scores at all-time points of assessment were lower in magnesium group; this effect peaked at 4 h (mean difference -2.15 [95 %CI -3.21,-1.09; p = 0.001]. Magnesium reduced intraoperative remifentanil consumption and prolonged the time-interval to first rescue analgesia (p < 0.01). No notable adverse effects were recorded. CONCLUSION It occurs that magnesium infusion during lumbar laminectomy surgery potentiates perioperative analgesia and reduces analgesic requirements up to 24 h postoperatively. No profound adverse effect on either intraoperative hemodynamics or any other clinically relevant endpoints becomes evident.
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Conservative Treatment Versus Ultrasound-Guided Injection in the Management of Meralgia Paresthetica: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Kiliç, S, Özkan, FÜ, Külcü, DG, Öztürk, G, Akpinar, P, Aktas, I
Pain physician. 2020;(3):253-262
Abstract
BACKGROUND Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is an entrapment mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), in which conservative treatment options are not always sufficient. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided LFCN injection in the management of MP by comparing with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy and sham TENS therapy. STUDY DESIGN A prospective, randomized, sham-controlled study. SETTING Health Sciences University Training and Research Hospital in Turkey. METHODS Patients diagnosed with LFCN compression with clinical and electrophysiological findings were included in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups: (1) US-guided injection group, (2) TENS group, and (3) sham TENS group. The blockage of the LFCN was performed for therapeutic MP management in group 1. Ten sessions of conventional TENS were administered to each patient 5 days per week for 2 weeks, for 20 minutes per daily session in group 2, and sham TENS was applied to group 3 with the same protocol. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), painDETECT questionnaire, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test (SWMt), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and health-related quality of life (36-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]) at onset (T1), 15 days after treatment (T2), and 1 month after treatment (T3) were used for evaluation. Patients and the investigator who evaluated the results were blinded to the treatment protocol during the study period. RESULTS A total of 54 of the 62 patients (group 1 n = 17, group 2 n = 16, group 3 n = 21) completed the study, 3 patients from group 1, 4 patients from group 2, and 1 patient from group 3 dropped out during the follow-up period. The mean changes in painDETECT and SWMt scores showed a statistically significant difference between groups in favor of group 1 at T2 and T3 compared with T1 (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of VAS, SF-36, and PSQI scores (P > 0.05). In-group analysis of VAS scores showed a statistically significant decrease in T2 and T3 compared with T1 in group 1 (P < 0.05). In-group analysis of the VAS scores statistically significant decrease was shown in T2 compared with T1 in group 2 (P < 0.05). In-group analysis of painDETECT scores statistically significant decrease was shown in T2 and T3 compared with T1 in all groups (P < 0.05). In-group analysis of SWMt scores statistically significant decrease was shown in T2 and T3 compared with T1 in group 1 (P < 0.05). In-group analysis of SF-36 and PSQI scores, there was no statistically significant decrease in all groups (P > 0.05). LIMITATIONS The limitation of the study was a short follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS US-guided LFCN injection and TENS may be therapeutic options for MP treatment, however, for patients with neuropathic pain symptoms, US-guided LFCN injection may be a safe and alternative method to conservative treatment. KEY WORDS Meralgia paresthetica, ultrasound-guided injection, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
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Lidocaine infusion has a 25% opioid-sparing effect on background pain after burns: A prospective, randomised, double-blind, controlled trial.
Abdelrahman, I, Steinvall, I, Elmasry, M, Sjoberg, F
Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries. 2020;(2):465-471
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pain of a burn mainly results from the inflammatory cascade that is induced by the injured tissue, and is classified as background, breakthrough, procedural and postoperative pain. High doses of opioids are usually needed to treat background pain, so its management includes a combination of types of analgesia to reduce the side effects. Lidocaine given intravenously has been shown in two small, uncontrolled studies to have an appreciable effect on pain after burns. OBJECTIVES In this prospective double-blind controlled trial we aimed to examine and quantify the opioid-sparing effect of a continuous infusion of lidocaine for the treatment of background pain during the early period after a burn. METHODS Adult patients injured with burns of >10 total body surface area burned (TBSA%) and treated with a morphine based patient-controlled analgesia device (PCA) were randomised to have either lidocaine infusion starting with a bolus dose (1 mg lidocaine/kg) followed by continuous infusion (180 mg lidocaine/hour) or a placebo infusion, for seven consecutive days. Total daily consumption of opioids (mg) and amount of pain (visual analogue score, VAS) were recorded. RESULTS We included 19 patients, 10 of whom were given a lidocaine infusion. There were no differences between groups in VAS, TBSA%, time of enrolment to the study since the initial burn, or duration of hospital stay. The opioid consumption in the lidocaine group declined by roughly 25% during the period of the study. CONCLUSION An intravenous infusion of lidocaine was safe and had an opioid-sparing effect when treating background pain in burns.