Efficacy of 48-hour intravenous (IV) lidocaine infusions in open colorectal surgery.

Interventions: Patients undergoing elective open colorectal surgery were randomised into the lidocaine group or control group.
The lidocaine group received 1.5 mg/kg i.v. bolus at induction of anaesthesia immediately followed by 1 mg/kg/hr i.v. infusion for a total of 48 hours duration.
On arrival at the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU), all patients were connected to an i.v. fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump (20 mcg bolus, 5 min lockout, maximum dose 240 mcg/hr). PCA fentanyl consumption and numerical pain rating scale (NRS, 0-10) at rest were recorded by a blinded non-study nurse at 30min, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hours post-surgery. A blinded non-study pain physician monitored the patient daily, and adjusted the PCA dose if pain was not controlled.
Primary outcome(s): Time to first bowel movement.
The nurse caring for the patient filled out a study-specific questionnaire form documenting time of return of first bowel movement and flatus, and adverse effects.[Time (hours) from arrival in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU).]
Study Design: Purpose: Treatment; Allocation: Randomised controlled trial; Masking: Blinded (masking used);Assignment: Parallel;Type of endpoint: Efficacy