ANALGESIC EFFECTS OF INTRAARTICULAR BUPIVACAINE AFTER DAY-CASE ARTHROSCOPY

A blind, prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted to as sess the analgesic properties of intraarticular bupivacaine after day- case arthroscopy. Forty-eight patients undergoing routine arthroscopy were randomly allocated to receive 10 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine or 0.9% s aline into the joint at the end of the procedure. The analgesic effect s were assessed by visual analogue scales at discharge, on going to be d, and the following morning. Significant reduction in reported pain w as found in the treatment groups on leaving the hospital and later the same evening, although no benefit was found the following day.