Intraoperative Esmolol: Can It Reduce the Need of Postoperative Opioid in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Patients?

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be associated with postoperative pain mandating rescue analgesics; intraoperative ?-blocker (Esmolol) might improve analgesia and spare opioids. This study was performed to test this potential beneficial effect of intraoperative Esmolol in patients undergoing general anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 patients of the American sociological association (ASA) physical status-1 scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were included. Patients receiving Esmolol were assessed for its effect on postoperative analgesia concerning those who did not receive Esmolol. Esmolol was administered as a bolus dose (0.5mg/kg) just before induction of anesthesia followed by an infusion rate of 0.05mg/kg/min until the completion of surgery. Results: Patients in the Esmolol group and the control group were compared. A significant difference in postoperative visual analog scale (p