Feasibility Study on Pain Control After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

The objective of the study is to hopefully understand the most beneficial way to control pain after removing the gallbladder by keyhole surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy).

The investigators will investigate two groups of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

One group will receive the injection of local anaesthetic into the abdominal wall (TAP block) and into the wounds; the second group will have local anaesthetic into the wounds only.

In order to have meaningful results, we anticipate a large number of participants would be required. Therefore we would test first whether it is technically possible to set up the study itself.

The investigators will be looking at parameters (willingness of patients to be recruited, willingness of clinicians to recruit participants, number of eligible patients, follow-up rates, adherence/compliance rates, number of participants needed for an adequate sample size) that will allow to understand if such a larger trial is technically possible to set up.

Pain control after laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be achieved with the injection of local anaesthetic into the abdominal wall (TAP block) or into the surgical wounds. There is no reported literature comparing the two techniques with regard to early discharge rate, consumption of oral painkillers and return to daily activities in the week following surgery. In an era where day case surgery has become reality, there is a pressing need for strategies to optimize patients' pathways. In this context the postoperative pain control is a key point.

To compare the two techniques in a randomized trial, a large number of participants would be needed. Therefore the investigators would conduct a pilot study first, to evaluate if further research in the form of a larger study is likely to demonstrate the benefits of the TAP block during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

During the developing of the research proposal, advice and comments had been given by the local Research and Development Department and the public.

Recruitment

Clinicians will identify potential participants in the surgical outpatient clinic. All patients who fulfil the entry criteria will be invited to take part in the study.

Participants will be fully informed verbally about the proposed study and will receive a Letter of invitation to participant and a Patient information leaflet to take home. That will give them adequate time to read the documents and make an informed choice.

Sample size

As being a feasibility study it is required to have 30 cases per group in the final dataset, with a total of 60 patients.

Consent

Patients will be informed about the study and receive the information leaflet at the time they are enrolled for an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the surgical outpatient clinic. Only once patients are fully informed will they be asked to make a decision to enter the trial. Participants willing to join the study will have written informed consent, on the day of surgery.

Patients will be informed that they do not have to take part in the study if they choose to not be enrolled. Refusal to enter the trial will not compromise their care. Patients will also be informed that if at any time during the study they wish to withdraw they can do so, without having to give a reason and again this will not compromise their care. General Pratictioners will be informed by letter of their patients' inclusion in the study.

Risks and Benefits

There are no additional risks over and above participants' normal clinical care.

Both anaesthetic techniques are currently in use in the Royal Devon and Exeter National Heath System Foundation Trust. The procedures themselves do have potential risks (side-effects) which would be explained routinely to both trial and non-trial patients ahead of surgery. Taking part in this study will not change these risks in any way.

There are no immediate benefits to the participants from taking part in the trial at present. However, if the results are promising, the investigators will run a larger trial that could potentially lead to a new way of looking after patients having laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

That may therefore lead to a future change in medical care that could help patients who will be having laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

The investigators would be clear that no new technique or medication is being tested. Also there is no financial benefit from the study to both the participants and the research team.

Conflicts of Interest

None.

Confidentiality

All data will be stored anonymously against a participant number. Only the clinical team and research nurse will have access to the single table correlating participant's name number. Anonymity will be preserved throughout the trial.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients able/willing to give informed consent for participation in the study.
* Male or female aged 18-60 years old.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients having an open cholecystectomy (performed through the standard "rope" incision).
* Patients intended to have laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an inpatient (staying overnight after surgery).
* Patients initially scheduled to have day case surgery but eventually admitted to hospital due to surgical or anaesthetic concerns or social reasons.
* Patients with contraindications in having injection of the local anaesthetic used in the study (i.e. history of side-effects, allergy).
* Patients who cannot have one or more standard oral painkillers prescribed postoperatively.
* Patients with history of chronic pain who are already on long term painkillers.
* Patients unable/unwilling to give informed consent for participation in the study.