Abstract
BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of intravenous lidocaine in reducing acute pain after hysterectomy remains uncertain. The authors conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate the impact of intravenous lidocaine on posthysterectomy recovery. METHODS: This study was completed based on the PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL), and Embase up to 27 July 2023. The authors identified RCTs involving hysterectomy patients comparing lidocaine to a placebo. Outcome measures included postoperative pain scores at rest and during movement, opioid consumption, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), improvements in functional gastrointestinal recovery, and Quality of Recovery scores. RESULTS: Nine RCTs were included in the meta-analysis, comprising 352 patients who received intravenous lidocaine and 354 controls. The analysis revealed that intravenous lidocaine significantly reduced postoperative pain scores at rest at 2, 6, 8, and 24 h following hysterectomy, as well as postoperative opioid consumption within 24 h and PONV rates. Furthermore, no observed benefit was noted in shortening the time to first flatus with intravenous lidocaine administration posthysterectomy. CONCLUSION: Intravenous lidocaine administration effectively reduces acute postoperative pain, opioid consumption, and PONV rates following hysterectomy. Lidocaine serves as an opioid-sparing agent, reducing the morphine equivalent dose while maintaining a similar degree of postoperative pain.