The effectiveness of aerosolized intraperitoneal bupivacaine in reducing postoperative pain in children undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty

Abstract

Objective To assess the effectiveness of aerosolized intraperitoneal bupivacaine in reducing postoperative pain in children. Laparoscopic surgery has decreased the severity of postoperative pain in children. However, children often experience abdominal and shoulder pain requiring significant amounts of opioids, potentially prolonging their hospitalization. Methods Forty-one consecutive patients undergoing unilateral robotic-assisted pyeloplasty between December 2005 and December 2007 were retrospectively reviewed to assess perioperative opioid requirements and length of hospitalization. Results In addition to standard-of-care perioperative analgesia, five patients received intraperitoneal aerosolized bupivacaine just prior to trocar removal, 17 patients received aerosolized bupivacaine just prior to incising the perirenal fascia, and 19 patients received no intervention. There was a significant reduction in postoperative opioid utilization when bupivacaine was administered at the beginning of the surgery (0.1 mg/kg vs 0.4 mg/kg, P = 0.04), but not at the end (0.3 mg/kg, P = 0.25), as compared to controls. All patients receiving aerosolized bupivacaine had a significantly shorter time in hospital (2.4 vs 1.4 days, P = <0.01). Conclusions The administration of intraperitoneal aerosolized bupivacaine just prior to incising the perirenal fascia appears to be a simple, effective and low-cost method to reduce postoperative pain in children undergoing laparoscopic pyeloplasty.