The addition of tramadol to lidocaine does not reduce tourniquet and postoperative pain during iv regional anesthesia

We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind study to determine whether the combination of tramadol with lidocaine 0.5% had an analgesic effect on tourniquet pain during iv regional anesthesia and also on postoperative pain. Thirty patients scheduled for carpal tunnel decompression were included in the study. Each patient received 3 mg.kg(-1) of plain lidocaine 0.5% with 100 mg of tramadol (Group T) or 2 mL of isotonic saline (Group C). The mixture was injected into the isolated and exsanguinated arm. Pain was assessed using a linear visual analog scale and a verbal rate scale during the surgical procedure and the postoperative period (240 min) and subsequently at interview at 24 hr. Analgesic consumption was recorded. There was no difference in the pain scales and analgesic request at any of the time periods studied. We conclude, therefore, that for carpal tunnel operation under iv regional anesthesia, the combination of tramadol and lidocaine is not more effective than lidocaine alone.