Bupivicaine to Reduce Postoperative Pain in Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair

Intraoperative Local Anesthesia for Management of Postoperative Pain Following Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair: a Prospective Double-blind Randomized Trial

The investigators are testing to see if infusion of bupivicaine between the mesh and abdominal wall can reduce postoperative pain and decrease use of narcotics in the postoperative setting.

The primary objective of this study is to test different methods for pain management following laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. We hypothesize that local analgesic injection between the abdominal wall and mesh intraoperatively during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair will result in a 20% decrease in the use of post-surgery pain medication in the first four hours after surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient must be scheduled for a laparoscopic ventral hernia repair at SBCH. If any additional procedure is performed, the subject will be excluded from the study
2. Age 18 or older
3. Patient must agree to complete pain journal postoperatively
4. Informed consent signed and dated by patient. Consenting through a legally authorized guardian will not be accepted due to the necessity of completing a subjective pain journal

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any surgical procedure occurring besides the study procedure
2. Any allergy or sensitivity to bupivicaine or its derivatives
3. Less than 18 years of age
4. Patient unable to self report in pain journal due to cognitive disabilities
5. Discharged less than 4 hours post-surgery