Randomized placebo-controlled trial of local anaesthetic infusion in day-case inguinal hernia repair

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Abstract
Background: This study investigated the efficacy of local anaesthetic wound perfusion following day-case inguinal hernia repair. Methods: Seventy-two patients entered a randomized controlled trial with three patient groups: group 1, pump containing bupivacaine; group 2, pump containing normal saline; and group 3, control group without a pump. All patients had a Lichtenstein hernia repair together with ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve blocks and were prescribed oral analgesia. Postoperative pain was assessed over 5 days using a visual analogue scale. Results: Patients who had a local anaesthetic infusion had significantly less pain than either the placebo or control groups. This was greatest during the first 48 h (day 1, P = 0·028 and 0·011 respectively; day 2, P = 0·012 and 0·037 respectively). Conclusion: A portable infusion pump for the delivery of local anaesthetic reduced pain after day-case inguinal hernia repair.