Lidocaine, a common local anesthetic, exhibits notable anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects during surgical procedures. It effectively decreases neutrophil and macrophage activation, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines, and supports endothelial integrity. Benefits of lidocaine include reduced postoperative pain, lower opioid needs, and quicker intestinal recovery. Furthermore, preliminary findings suggest it may inhibit tumor cell migration and inflammatory pathways linked to cancer spread. Despite promising results, optimization of dosages and long-term effects warrant further investigation.
Review by Fernández-Martínez A, García JG and López-Picado A in J Clin Med