Effects of intravenous versus epidural lidocaine infusion on pain intensity and bowel function after major large bowel surgery: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: We compared the effects of intravenous lidocaine (IVL) with lumbar epidural lidocaine analgesia (LEA) on pain and ileus after open colonic surgery.

Methods: Between December 2011 and February 2013, 60 patients were randomly allocated to IVL, LEA, or control group. The IVL group received intraoperatively lidocaine 2 % intravenously (1.