Intraoperative instillation of ropivacaine during the placement of sub-muscular cosmetic breast implants: Is there a clinical benefit?

Publication date: Available online 9 October 2017
Source:Annales de Chirurgie Plastique Esthétique
Author(s): F. Picard, J. Niddam, A. De Runz, M. Chaouat, M. Mimoun, D. Boccara
IntroductionThe sub-muscular placement of cosmetic breast implants leads to substantial pain due to the muscular distention. The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of intraoperative ropivacaine instillation to reduce postoperative pain the day after surgery.Material and methodsWe conducted a prospective, controlled, single-blinded study comparing the intraoperative instillation of 7.5mg of ropivacaine through Redon drains with the standard procedure in 72 patients undergoing sub-muscular cosmetic breast augmentation for the first time.ResultsPain at the awakening on postoperative day 1 was 4.8 on a simple numeric pain scale in the treatment group and 5.1 in the control group (P>0.05). On postoperative day 3, pain at awakening was 3.7 in both groups (P>0.05), and on postoperative day 5, pain was 2.8 in the treatment group and 2.7 in the control group (P>0.05).ConclusionLocal instillation of ropivacaine in the implant pocket during surgery did not decrease postoperative pain on day 1, day 3 and day 5. From now on, we are able to tell to patients that the postoperative pain after sub-muscular cosmetic breast implants surgery is about 5/10 on postoperative day 1, 4/10 at day 3 and 3/10 at day 5.Level of evidenceLevel II.