Intraoperative TIVA With Propofol on Postoperative Pain and Side Effects After Liver Resection Surgery

Postoperative pain can be severe after liver resection surgery. However, postoperative pain management may be difficult for this group of patients. Opioidergic neurotransmission may be altered in cirrhotic patients and selectively increasing receptor affinity for opioids. Large dose of strong opioid may be required to achieve adequate pain control. However, this may not be possible due to the side effect of opioid and liver dysfunction after liver resection. Propofol is a commonly used anaesthetic with rapid recovery and less side effects and TIVA (total intravenous analgesia) with propofol is a common technique now. The reduction on certain serum pro- inflammatory cytokines may lead to more smooth post- surgical recovery. Recent case report proved the analgesic effect of propofol infusion. However other animal and clinical studies showed controversial result. The aim of this retrospective study is to investigate the postoperative analgesic effects and side effects of intraoperative TIVA with propofol in patient undergoing liver resection surgery at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong between 2010 to 2012.