Postoperative pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be due to various reasons. In this study reduction of visceral and shoulder tip pain is studied with intra peritoneal instillation of ropivacaine.

The study was done to see the effect of intraperitoneal instillation of ropivacaine on postoperative abdominal pain and shoulder pain in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Sixty patients with symptomatic gall stone diseases undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into two groups. In study group A (n = 30 patients) 0.5% of 30 mL (150 mg) of ropivacaine, and in control (placebo) group B (n = 30) 30 mL of normal saline was instilled in the gall bladder bed.

Abdominal pain is worse during the first 24 hours after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. After 6 and 12 hours abdominal pain was significantly less in group A compared to group B (P < 0.035). Group A experienced less shoulder tip pain during the first postoperative day, compared to control group.

Intraperitoneal instillation of ropivacaine is more effective than placebo instillation at early postoperative hours in reducing postoperative abdominal pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.