Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Aim: Assessment of Opioid-free anaesthesia for laparoscopic surgeries. Material and methods: The study included a total of 100 patients, of which 50 patients were assigned to the opioid-sparing anaesthesia group (Group A), and the remaining 50 patients were assigned to the conventional opioid-based anaesthesia group (Group B). Convenience sampling was used, and the study enrolled 100 patients (Group B). The primary objective was to compare the pain scores in the post-operative period using the VAS for 24 hours, and the secondary objectives were to compare intra-operative haemodynamic parameters, duration of postoperative analgesia (defined as the time from completion of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) post-induction till the first analgesic requirement as indicated by VAS >5), and total analgesics consumed in the first 24 hours. Results: The VAS score for pain comparison during rest and movement was substantially greater in the conventional group at 0 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 24 h postoperatively than in the opioid free anaesthetic group. In the group that had anaesthesia that did not include the use of opioids, around 22% of patients did not need the use of any analgesics in the post-operative phase within the first 24 hours. Both groups reported significantly different levels of total postoperative analgesic usage, however. In the conventional group, approximately 70% of patients required one dose of paracetamol (1 g), and 30% required one dose of paracetamol along with opioid (tramadol 50 mg) in view of severe pain as assessed by VAS (score > 5). In contrast, in the opioid free anaesthesia group, 64% of patients required one dose of paracetamol (1 g), and 14% required two doses of paracetamol (total 2 g) at an interval of 8 to 12 In the clinical setting, the opioid-free anaesthesia group and the conventional group had hemodynamic values that were equivalent to one another. Conclusion: When compared to the routine conventional opioid anaesthesia, the integration of ESPB into an intravenous opioid-free analgesic regimen using lignocaine and magnesium provides better postoperative pain relief with lower VAS scores, increased duration of analgesia, and reduced opioid consumption.