Comparative study of efficacy of 5% lignocaine patch for post-operative analgesia in cardiac surgical patients: A cross-sectional controlled trial

Post-sternotomy pain remains a significant clinical challenge in cardiac

surgery, often requiring substantial analgesic requirement in the immediate

postoperative period. While opioids are effective analgesics, their adverse

effect profile; including respiratory depression, sedation, gastrointestinal

dysfunction, and risk of long-term dependence; underscores the urgent need

for opioid-sparing strategies.

Topical lidocaine in the form of a 5% transdermal patch offers a non-invasive, low-

risk intervention that provides localized analgesia with minimal systemic

absorption. Although lidocaine patches have demonstrated efficacy in treating

neuropathic and localized pain conditions, their role in the management of acute

post-sternotomy pain remains underexplored.

This study proposes to evaluate the efficacy of the 5% lidocaine patch in reducing

post-sternotomy pain and opioid requirements within the first 24 hours following

cardiac surgery. By addressing a key gap in postoperative pain management, this

research has the potential to inform enhanced recovery pathways, reduce opioid

exposure, and improve patient outcomes in a high-risk population