Twenty six RCTs with 1211 patients were included. Five studies considered inguinal hernia (242 patients); four considered abdominal hysterectomy (167 patients); eight considered open cholecystectomy (376 patients); and a further nine considered various other types of abdominal surgery (426 patients).
1. Incisional local anaesthesia for postoperative pain relief after inguinal hernia.
Significant reduction in pain scores: 5/5 studies.
Significant reduction in supplementary analgesia: 4/5 studies.
Significant reduction in time to analgesia request: 4/4 studies.
2. Incisional local anaesthesia for postoperative pain relief after abdominal hysterectomy.
Significant reduction in pain scores: 1/4 studies.
Significant reduction in supplementary analgesia: 2/4 studies.
Significant reduction in time to analgesia request: not recorded.
3. Incisional local anaesthesia for postoperative pain relief after open cholecystectomy.
Significant reduction in pain scores: 2/4 studies.
Significant reduction in supplementary analgesia: 4/8 studies.
Significant reduction in time to analgesia request: a studies.
4. Incisional local anaesthesia for postoperative pain relief after various major and minor surgical procedures.
Significant reduction in pain scores: 4/9 studies.
Significant reduction in supplementary analgesia: 5/9 studies.
Significant reduction in time to analgesia request: not recorded.