SummaryA randomised, controlled study was undertaken to assess the postoperative pain and side effects experienced by patients undergoing day case diagnostic laparoscopy and laparoscopic sterilisation, and to evaluate the effectiveness in these patients of peroperative diclofenac. Patients undergoing laparoscopic sterilisation had significantly higher pain scores at one hour postoperatively, and at discharge, than patients undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy ( p < 0.01 ) but there were no significant diferences in pain scores 24 hours after discharge. The incidence of postoperative side effects following discharge from hospital was high, but there were no signijicant differences between the groups. Diclofenac had no significant effect in either group on the severity of postoperative pain, or the incidence of postoperative side effects.

No abstract

SummaryWe performed a randomised controlled study in patients undergoing day case laparoscopic sterilisation to assess whether coating Filshie clips with 2% lignocaine gel prior to application to the Fallopian tubes would reduce postoperative pain. Sixty-two patients were studied, in 33 of whom the Filshie clips were coated in sterile 2% lignocaine gel. Pain scores in the Iignocaine gel group were significantly lower than in the control group at 1 h after return to the ward, but no diferences were found immediately on refurn to the ward, or at discharge or at 24 h. There were no signijicant diferences between the two groups in postoperative analgesic requirements or in side effects.

No abstract