Cesarean section incisional infiltration with lidocaine and Epinephrine versus Lidocaine alone in reducing postoperative pain. A randomized controlled double-blinded clinical trial

Abstract

Background Cesarean section delivery is becoming more frequent. Childbirth is an emotion-filled event and the mother needs to bond with her newborn baby as early as possible. Any intervention that leads to improvement in pain relief is worthy of investigation Aim of the Work to assess the efficacy and safety adding ef Epinephrine to lidocaine 2% in dose-related manner 1:200.000 in prolongation of anesthetic effect of lidocaine as a local anesthetic to reduce post; caesarean section pain after general anesthesia. Patients and Methods A total number of 200 women planned for elective caesarean section at Shams University Maternity Hospital Was recruited, 2 groups were randomized with a study group included 100 women received lidocaine 2% and epinephrine in dose-related manner and a control group included 100 women received lidocaine 2% only. Results women who received lidocaine and epinephrine were more satisfied and hadsignificant more time after caesarean section free of pain in comparison to women who received lidocaine only by 120 minutes. Also. adding Of epinephrine helped in decrease in amount of analgesic consumption after caesarean section. Women who received lidocaine and epinephrine started breast feeding and mobilization earlier than women who received lidocaine only. Epinephrine prolonged the action of lidocaine as a local anesthetic, this prolongation of action of local anesthetic had a significant effect in early mobilization and breast feeding and decrease in cost of analgesics. Nobody in our candidate had a post-operative infection, past operative pyrexia, Allergic reactions tar general anesthesia or complications with local anesthesia. Conclusion Adding of epinephrine to local anesthetics (such as lidocaine 2% in dose-related manner 1:200.0000) prolonged anesthetic effect by more than double of its original anesthetic time, This prolongation on anesthetic effect of local anesthesia by epinephrine helps in eariy mobilization; early breast feeding and less hospital duration stays. No complications (local nor systemic) developed with local infiltration of post-caesarean section incision with lidocaine 2% even aficr adding epinephrine in dose-related manner 1:200.000