Effect of Intraoperative Intravenous Lidocaine on Postoperative Pain and Return of Bowel Function after Cesarean Sections: A Double-Blinded Randomized Control Study

Background: After a Cesarean section (CS), postoperative discomfort is a typical side effect. Rapid mobilization and the mother-newborn attachment are typically impacted.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of intravenous lidocaine during surgery on pain following surgery and on the prompt recovery of bowel movements after planned Cesarean sections.
Patients and methods: We recruited and randomly assigned 60 pregnant women who had planned for Caesarean sections into two groups: The experimental group, which obtained an intravenous injection of lidocaine beginning with the skin cut and continued until the skin closed, and the placebo group, which got 0.9% normal saline at the exact same rate as the experimental group. Using a visual analogue scale, the two groups' levels of discomfort, the need for pain killers, the time it took to detect normal intestinal noises for the first time, and the time it took for flatus to occur were all contrasted. Additionally, signs of lidocaine overdose were noted.
Results: Overall VAS score values at different times "baseline, 2, 4, 6 hours postoperatively, before and after analgesia" were statistically significantly lower among cases of lidocaine group compared to control group. On the other hand, no differences were noted between lidocaine and control group regarding time to 1^st hearing of bowel sounds, flatus passing, duration of postoperative hospital stay and side effects of lidocaine.
Conclusion: Given its positive effects on postoperative pain scores and satisfaction among patients, iv lidocaine injections may be a helpful adjunct during spinal anesthesia. For post-caesarean section procedures, it is an effortless, secure, and side-effect-free supplementary analgesia treatment.