Postthyroidectomy pain control using ropivacaine wound infiltration after intraoperative remifentanil: A prospective double blind randomized controlled study

SummaryBackground and objectiveWe conducted a prospective double blind randomized study assessing ropivacaine end-of-surgery wound infiltration for pain relief in thyroid surgery after remifentanil-based intraoperative analgesia.MethodsFifty elective ASA I–II patients scheduled for thyroid surgery were included in this study. Balanced anesthesia was performed with propofol, remifentanil, N2O, isoflurane. Patients were randomized in two equal groups: ropivacaine (n = 25) and saline (n = 25) which respectively had end-of-surgery wound infiltration with 15 ml of ropivacaine 2% or the same volume of saline.ResultsPain intensity, morphine requirement and the length of stay in PACU were significantly lower in ropivacaine group as compared to saline group (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in the surgical ward.ConclusionsIf remifentanil is used for intraoperative analgesia, end-of-surgery wound infiltration with 15 ml ropivacaine 2% is an efficient strategy to control postthyroidectomy pain.