Ropivacaine wound infusion for postoperative pain control in living donors of liver transplantation

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of ropivacaine continuous infusion (Painbuster) in liver donors compared to intrathecal morphine (ITM) with intravenous patient controlled analgesia (IV PCA). Adult donors were randomly allocated into 2 groups: ITM + IV PCA group, Painbuster + rescue IV PCA group. Donors in Painbuster + rescue IV PCA group were placed a catheter in the wound and 0.5% ropivacaine was infused for postoperative 72 hours at a rate of 4ml/hr. Donors in ITM + IV PCA group received morphine sulfate (400ug) and fentanyl IV PCA postoperatively . The visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and coughing, and IV PCA fentanyl and meperidine consumptions were assessed for 72 hours postoperatively. Side effects including sedation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, pruritis, respiratory depression, wound seroma or hematoma, and bowel recovery time were recorded.