Postoperative Narcotic Use After Laparoscopic Gynecologic Surgery

Postoperative Narcotic Use After Laparoscopic Gynecologic Surgery: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial Comparing Continuous Intraperitoneal Infusion of Ropivacaine Versus Saline for Post-operative Pain Control

This will be a prospective, randomized, double blinded placebo-controlled study at Erlanger hospital. Eligible patients who provide consent will be randomized into one of two arms receiving continuous intra-peritoneal local anesthetic with 0.2% Ropivacaine or saline.

This will be a prospective, randomized, double blinded placebo-controlled study at Erlanger hospital. Eligible patients who provide consent will be randomized into one of two arms receiving continuous intra-peritoneal local anesthetic with 0.2% Ropivacaine or saline. After inclusion criteria are met and consents are obtained all patients will be sent home with a pain measurement, a pill diary to record the quantity of narcotic tablets taken, and a questionnaire nausea and vomiting symptoms.

After placement of the ON-Q pain pump the select-a-flow rate will be set to 6 mL/hr for all study participants. . All study participants will be provided with rescue pain medications as needed. If possible non-narcotic medications such as Tylenol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory's will be utilized first. If pain persists narcotic medications will be provided. Oxycodone 5 mg will be utilized unless a patient reported allergy exists. All rescue narcotics utilized will be converted into morphine equivalents and documented. All patients will be discharged with Oxycodone 5 mg with 35 tablets which provides pain coverage for 7 days after surgery. In addition to Oxycodone all patients will be discharged with Sprix, a nasal non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, as well as Zofran and movantik, a medication for narcotic induced constipation. All patients will be instructed to administer Sprix by placing one puff into each nostril every 6 hours for a total of 5 days after surgery. They will further be instructed to take oral Tylenol 1000 mg every 6 hours for a total of 4 days after surgery. Assigned research personnel will contact all patients to obtain the results of their survey and pill dairy at 48 hours and one week after surgery. Patients will then present for a two-week post-operative visit where study personnel will complete data collection. All study participants who request a narcotic refill within 6 weeks of surgery will be documented.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. All patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery with either the traditional "straight stick" or robotic assisted techniques will be considered for eligibility. Eligible patients will include those with pelvic pain and endometriosis as well as those who present for pelvic floor reconstruction. Surgical procedures performed will include excision of endometriosis, lysis of adhesions, hysterectomy, bilateral or unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, cystectomy, and pelvic reconstruction.
2. Patients who are 18 years or older
3. Patients who provide written surgical consent
4. Patients who are capable and willing to follow up with surveys and complete pain and pill diaries

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who are unable or willing to provide consent and complete the follow up surveys and dairies
2. Patients who are allergic to Ropivacaine
3. Patients whose minimally invasive procedures were converted to laparotomies