Analgesic efficacy of continuous delivery of bupivacaine by an elastomeric balloon infusor after abdominal hysterectomy: a prospective randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the analgesic efficacy and morphine-sparing effect of continuous bupivacaine wound infiltration after abdominal hysterectomy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomised controlled trial. SAMPLE: Fifty-two female ASA I or II patients were enrolled with 26 patients in each of the study and control groups. METHODS: The study group received 0.5% bupivacaine infusion into the incisional (Pfannenstiel) wound via an elastomeric infusor at 2 mL/hr for 48 hours postoperatively plus morphine via a patient controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. The control group had only PCA morphine. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the visual analogue scores (VAS) for pain nor PCA morphine usage for 48 hours postoperatively CONCLUSION: That continuous infusion of the incisional wound with 0.5% bupivacaine did not confer additional analgesia over PCA morphine after abdominal hysterectomy