Postoperative intravenous lidocaine infusion for pain management in pelvic bone tumor surgery patients: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

J Anesth Analg Crit Care. 2026 Feb 28. doi: 10.1186/s44158-026-00348-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that perioperative use of lidocaine effectively reduces opioid requirements in various surgical procedures. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of postoperative intravenous lidocaine infusion on opioid consumption following pelvic bone tumor surgery.

METHODS: This single center randomized controlled trial in a tertiary teaching hospital containing a total of 70 patients, aged 18 to 65 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA) physical status classifications of I to III, who were scheduled to undergo pelvic bone tumor surgery. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the lidocaine group(L Group) or the control group(C Group). The L Group received lidocaine for postoperative analgesia, whereas the C Group was administered a placebo saline infusion.The primary outcome was postoperative opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes included the time to first bowel movement, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV), and pain scores at rest and during movement on postoperative days.

RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in the cumulative 72-h morphine equivalent consumption between the L Group (n = 33) and the C Group (n = 33). Patients in the L Group required significantly less morphine equivalent consumption compared to the C Group (13 (0-52) mg vs. 25 (14-85) mg, P = 0.043). Additionally, the proportion of patients experiencing breakthrough pain was significantly lower in the L Group compared to the C Group (33.33% vs. 75.76%, P = 0.001). No significant differences were noted between the groups in secondary outcomes, including the incidence of PONV, numerical pain scores at rest or during movement, time to first bowel evacuation, or time to first oral intake.

CONCLUSION: Postoperative intravenous lidocaine infusion is effective in reducing opioid consumption and the incidence of breakthrough pain following pelvic bone tumor surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This single-center, prospective RCT was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100051207, 15/09/2021). The first research participant was enrolled in September 20, 2021.

PMID:41764583 | DOI:10.1186/s44158-026-00348-0