Abstract

Pankaj Shivhare, Pankaj Dugg, Harnam Singh, Sushil Mittal, Ashwani Kumar

Aim: The study was performed to examine the effect of intraperitoneal irrigation with normal saline on postoperative abdominal and shoulder pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: 60 patients with symptomatic gallstone disease undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized in two groups. In study group A (n=30 patients) 30ml/kg of 0.9% normal saline was instilled at the gallbladder bed, while no intervention was performed on control group B (n=30). Results: Abdominal pain was worst during the first 24 hours after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. At 6, 12 and 24 hrs, group A exhibited significantly less abdominal pain than group B. Group A also experienced less shoulder tip pain during the first postoperative day as compared to the control group. Conclusion: Intraperitoneal irrigation with normal saline is effective in reducing postoperative abdominal and shoulder tip pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy