Pre-peritoneal local anaesthetic to decrease pain in hernia repairs study

The aims of this study are to assess post operative pain and other surgical complications on elective laparoscopic hernia repair patients following the injection of local anaesthetic into the pre-peritoneal space. This study will enrol patients aged 18 – 80 years of age who are suitable for day surgical repair of their hernias at Waitemata District Health Board and Waitemata Specialist Centre (surgery at Southern Cross Hospital North Harbour). Participants will be randomised to receive 20mls of local anaesthetic or 20mls of normal saline injected into the pre-peritoneal space. They will be followed up by phone at 2 hours after surgery, 1, 7 and 14 days after surgery. They will be seen in the outpatients clinic at 6 weeks after the operation.