Twenty-six cholecystectomy patients received either an interpleural infusion of bupivacaine (Group B, n = 12) or an intravenous infusion of pethidine (Group P, n = 14) for management of postoperative pain over a three-day period. Patients in Group P experienced a significantly (P < 0.05) greater incidence of total side-effects (146) than patients in Group B (66). Pain scores (VAS) and responses to a pain questionnaire were similar for both groups; however, within Group B improvement in mean VAS scores at rest with time were more sustained. Similar reductions in FEV, and FVC from preoperative values occurred for both groups, while for Group P there were significant (P < 0.05) changes in arterial blood gases (increase in Pco2, decrease in Po2) over two days postoperatively. Patients in Group P recorded longer times to passing flatus and unaided mobilisation (P < 0.05), and required a significantly greater number of additional medications (anti-emetics and analgesics) over the postoperative period (41 vs 29, P < 0.05).
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