Patients will be randomised by computer generated random numbers and opaque envelope method. In the treatment arm patients will receive 10mls 0.75% ropivacaine diluted to 50mls with 0.9% saline soon after the creation of the laparotomy or in the placebo arm, receive 50mls of 0.9% normal saline in a similar fashion. One theatre staff nurse who will not be involved in patient care will be given the blinded envelop and prepare the lidocaine or saline mixtures in the theatre drug room. The mixtures will be unlabelled and appear similar in color. These will be given to the surgeon during the procedure. All members of the staff involved in patient care including the anaesthetist will be blinded to the solution administered.