Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Intravenous Lidocaine: A Narrative Review on Postoperative Pain Management and Opioid Reduction.
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) lidocaine as an alternative analgesic approach in the management of postoperative pain. A PubMed search was conducted using keywords related to intravenous lidocaine and opioid use in postoperative pain management. We focused on randomized controlled trials and clinical trials published in the past 10 years. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, providing justifications for any exclusions. Of the 44 articles initially identified, 20 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis and summary tables. The review revealed conflicting evidence regarding the efficacy of IV lidocaine with some studies reporting significant reductions in opioid consumption, improved pain relief, and enhanced recovery parameters, while others questioned its benefit in reducing opioid consumption. Variability in lidocaine dosing regimens, surgical settings, and patient populations may contribute to the discrepancies observed in the literature. Challenges and limitations in the interpretation of study findings, including methodological issues and potential biases, were discussed. IV lidocaine for postoperative pain management shows mixed and inconclusive results, with both potential benefits and limitations, indicating that no definitive conclusion can be drawn and further research is needed to establish its efficacy.