Comparison of Analgesic Efficacy between Intraperitoneal Instillation of Tramadol and Bupivacaine for Postoperative Pain Relief Following Laparoscopic Appendectomy

Abstract

Postoperative pain management is crucial for patient recovery following laparoscopic appendectomy. This study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of intraperitoneal instillation of tramadol and bupivacaine for postoperative pain relief. A total of 120 patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy were randomized into two groups: Group A received intraperitoneal tramadol (100 mg), and Group B received bupivacaine (0.25%, 50 mL) postoperatively. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. The total analgesic consumption and any adverse effects were also recorded. Results indicated that both groups achieved significant pain relief, but patients in the bupivacaine group reported lower VAS scores at 6 and 12 hours post-surgery and required fewer rescue analgesics. Tramadol showed similar efficacy at 1 and 24 hours but with a higher incidence of nausea. Overall, bupivacaine provided superior pain control in the early postoperative period. Intraperitoneal instillation of bupivacaine may be more effective for postoperative pain management after laparoscopic appendectomy.

Keywords: Intraperitoneal instillation, tramadol, bupivacaine, postoperative pain, laparoscopic appendectomy, analgesic efficacy.