Effect of Intravenous High Dose Vitamin C on Postoperative Pain and Morphine Use after Laparoscopic Colectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract EN

Background and Objective.

Vitamin C has antioxidant, neuroprotective, and neuromodulating effects.

Recently, it showed antinociceptive effect as a result of the antioxidant properties.

Therefore, we designed this study to assess the effect of intravenous vitamin C on opiate consumption and pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy.

Methods.

A total of 100 patients were enrolled and allocated to receive 50 mg/kg vitamin C or placebo by intravenous infusion immediately after induction of anesthesia.

Morphine consumption and scores of pain were assessed at 2, 6, and 24 h after completion of surgery.

Results.

There were 97 patients included in the analysis.

Patients who received vitamin C had higher plasma concentrations of vitamin C at the end of surgery, significantly lower morphine consumption at the 2 h after end of surgery, and significantly lower pain scores at rest during first 24 h postoperatively.

There was no significant difference between groups in side effects, fatigue score, or pain score during cough.

Conclusion.

This study shows high dose vitamin C infusion decreased postoperative pain during the first 24 h and reduced morphine consumption in the early postoperative period.

Additional research needed to examine whether higher doses of vitamin C and longer infusion times can amplify these effects.