Comparison of Preincisional and Postincisional 0.25% Levobupivacaine Infiltration in Thyroid Surgery

Aim: The use of local anesthetics for pain management following neck surgery is not a well-studied field. Material and Method: Sixty patients scheduled for thyroid surgery were randomly allocated into two groups. Wound infiltration with 0.25% levobupivacaine was performed before the incision in Group 1 and at the end of surgery in Group 2. Pain scores and side effects were followed for 24 hours. Intraoperative and postoperative analgesic consumption and first analgesic requirement time were recorded for each patient. Patient satisfaction was also evaluated at the end of 24 hours. Results: Lower pain scores, less analgesic consumption, later analgesic requirement and better patient satisfaction were obtained in the preincisional infiltration group.Discussion: Local anesthetic infiltration is a safe, practical method of pain management following thyroid surgery. Preincisional wound infiltration gives better results.