Purpose: Although less painful than their open counterparts, laparoscopic procedures are far from pain-free. Post-operative pain distincts patient discomfort. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraperitoneal and intra-incisional bupivacaine on postoperative pain and analgesic consumption after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: Between January and March 2008, 100 patient who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into one of two groups: treatment or control. At the end of the operation, before CO₂ disinflation, 40 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine was sprayed into the sub-diaphragmatic spaces bilaterally in patients from the treatment group, and the same concentration (0.25%) of bupivacaine was injected at all trocar sites. Patients in the control group did not receive any bupivacaine. The pain scores were evaluated by visual analogue pain scale at the second, fourth, twelfth, twenty- fourth, and forty-eighth hours. Analgesic requirements were also noted. Results: The pain score was significantly lower in the bupivacaine group than in the control group at the second, fourth, and twelfth hours (p＜0.05). No significant difference was noted between the two groups at the 24th hour (p=0.05). Analgesic requirements were not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.05). Conclusion: The intraperitoneal and intra-incisional administration of bupivacaine after laparoscopic abdominal surgery significantly reduced the pain intensity in the early postoperative period, increased patient comfort, and reduced analgesic consumption.

Keywords: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Local anesthesia, Intraperitoneal, Intraincisional, Pain