Study to Evaluate Reduction in Pain After Laparoscopic Hernia Repair With Mesh Soaked in Bupivacaine Solution

Early post-operative pain and discomfort after laparoscopic repair remains a concern for patients requiring hospital stay and parenteral narcotic analgesics . This quite often proves to be a hindrance in early ambulation, enhances patient discomfort and prevents early discharge from hospital. Local anesthetics infiltration at wound site after various procedures is known to be effective in reducing immediate post-operative pain , . In case of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, delivering local anesthetic at site of mesh application can be achieved by soaking the mesh in local anesthetic solution before application. To date there is no evidence regarding impact of soaking mesh in bupivacaine solution before application in case of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. OBJECTIVE: Primary Objective: To evaluate impact of impregnating mesh in .5% bupivacaine solution as compared to normal saline solution on post-operative pain after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. Secondary Objective: To evaluate impact of impregnating mesh in .5% bupivacaine solution as compared to saline solution on length of hospital stay after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. Study Sample: Patients with uncomplicated ventral abdominal wall hernia presenting at general surgery clinics of AKUH Karachi who are planned to undergo laparoscopic repair and meet eligibility criteria of inclusion into trial. SETTINGS: Study will be conducted in General Surgery Section of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Patients will be evaluated in clinic at the time of presentation regarding eligibility to participate in study. Written informed consent will be taken in clinic. A copy of the consent form will be handed over to the patient. Clinical Trial Unit will be informed of the scheduled date and time of the operation. Allocation will be done by the staff at clinical trial unit which will be kept undisclosed to the investigators, patients and outcome assessors. Clinical Trial Unit will provide the