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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is associated with shorter hospital stay and less pain in comparison with open surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of using intraperitoneal hydrocortisone on pain relief following LC. Objectives This study aims to evaluate the effect of using intraperitoneal hydrocortisone after LC in decreasing postoperative pain and other adverse effects. Patients and methods Fifty patients were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Patients (randomly assigned) underwent ordinary LC or along with the operation received 100 mg of hydrocortisone in 250 ml normal saline after extraction of the gallbladder into the peritoneum. Abdominal pain and shoulder pain were evaluated using the visual analog scale after surgery and at 6, 12, and 24 h postoperatively. The patients were also followed for postoperative analgesic requirements, nausea and vomiting, and return of bowel function. Results Forty-eight patients completed the study. Patients in the hydrocortisone group had significantly lower abdominal pain (10.75 vs. 12.65,P = 0.00) and shoulder pain (5.35 vs. 6.74,P = 0.008) scores than the control group. There were no significant differences regarding analgesic requirements in the recovery room. However, those in the hydrocortisone group required less meperidine than those in the control group (138.55 ± 49.9 vs. 69.96 ± 38.69 mg,P = 0.00). There were no significant differences with respect to return of bowel function, nausea, and vomiting. No adverse reaction was observed in either group. Conclusion Intraperitoneal administration of hydrocortisone can significantly decrease pain and analgesic requirements after LC with no adverse effects.

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