Background: Postoperative pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be due to various reasons. In this study reduction of visceral and shoulder tip pain is studied with intra peritoneal instillation of ropivacaine.

Objectives: The study was done to see the effect of intraperitoneal instillation of ropivacaine on postoperative abdominal pain and shoulder pain in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Patients and Methods: Sixty patients with symptomatic gall stone diseases undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into two groups. In study group A (n = 30 patients) 0.5% of 30 mL (150 mg) of ropivacaine, and in control (placebo) group B (n = 30) 30 mL of normal saline was instilled in the gall bladder bed.

Results: Abdominal pain is worse during the first 24 hours after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. After 6 and 12 hours abdominal pain was significantly less in group A compared to group B (P

Conclusions: Intraperitoneal instillation of ropivacaine is more effective than placebo instillation at early postoperative hours in reducing postoperative abdominal pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.