Abstract
Purpose Local anaesthetic wound infusions have been investigated in recent years as a potential alternative to standard analgesic regimens following major surgery. This study investigates the efficacy of a continuous wound infusion of ropivacaine in conjunction with best practice postoperative analgesia following midline laparotomy for colorectal surgery.Methodology 310 patients presenting for major colorectal surgery were included in this prospective, randomised, double‐blind, placebo controlled trial. Patients were allocated to receive either ropivacaine 0.54% or normal saline via a dual catheter Painbuster Soaker(tm) continuous infusion device for 72 hours postoperatively.Results The continuous wound infusion of ropivacaine following abdominal colorectal surgery conveys minimal benefit when compared with saline wound infusion. No statistically significant difference could be shown for, pain at rest, morphine usage, length of stay, mobility, nausea or return of bowel function.Conclusion Management of pain following elective abdominal colorectal surgery is best achieved through adopting a multimodal approach to analgesia. Delivery of ropivacaine to midline laparotomy wounds via a Painbuster Soakerä device is safe but has no clinical application following major abdominal colorectal surgery.
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