Postthyroidectomy pain control using ropivacaine wound infiltration after intraoperative remifentanil: A prospective double blind randomized controlled study

Background and objective: We conducted a prospective double blind randomized study assessing ropivacaine end-of-surgery wound infiltration for pain relief in thyroid surgery after remifentanil-based intraoperative analgesia. Methods: Fifty elective ASA I-II patients scheduled for thyroid surgery were included in this study. Balanced anesthesia was performed with propofol, remifentanil, N₂O, isoflurane. Patients were randomized in two equal groups: ropivacaine (n = 25) and saline (n = 25) which respectively had end-of-surgery wound infiltration with 15 ml of ropivacaine 2% or the same volume of saline. Results: Pain intensity, morphine requirement and the length of stay in PACU were significantly lower in ropivacaine group as compared to saline group (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in the surgical ward. Conclusions: If remifentanil is used for intraoperative analgesia, end-of-surgery wound infiltration with 15 ml ropivacaine 2% is an efficient strategy to control postthyroidectomy pain.