Systemic exposure to perioperative lignocaine and its impact on pain
control: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled
trials
Abstract
Aim: This study systematically reviewed the relationship between plasma
drug concentrations of perioperative intravenous lignocaine and its
analgesic effects. Methods: Randomised controlled trials of adults
undergoing non-cardiac surgeries were systematically searched and
reviewed in SCOPUS, Medline, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science from
inception to March 2024. These trials compared lignocaine to placebo or
control, assessed pain outcomes, administered lignocaine
intraoperatively, and reported plasma lignocaine concentrations at
various time points. Outcomes included cumulative opioid use (measured
in IV morphine equivalent), pain scores, and hospital stay duration. The
Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used for bias assessment, and data were
analysed with a random-effects model to determine the mean difference
(MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The review protocol was
registered at INPLASY (INPLASY202180046). Results: Fifteen studies with
445 lignocaine and 453 control patients were included. Eight studies
showed lower opioid use in the post-anaesthetic care unit (PACU) for the
lignocaine group (MD of -3.00 (95% CI [-5.00, -1.01], P=0.0092,
I2=57%). Meta-regression indicated higher plasma concentrations of
lignocaine correlated with greater opioid reduction (regression
coefficient of -3.05 [95% CI -4.48, -1.61], P=0.002). However,
eleven studies found no significant difference in opioid consumption and
pain scores at 24 hours post-surgery. Incidence of nausea and vomiting
was similar between the groups, and few patients had lignocaine-related
adverse reactions. Conclusions: Perioperative lignocaine infusion
effectively reduces opioid consumption in the PACU, with more pronounced
effects at higher plasma concentrations. Further research is needed to
identify optimal plasma concentrations for clinically significant
analgesic benefits.