Patients will be randomised by computer generated random numbers and opaque envelope method. In the treatment arm patients will receive 10ml 0.75% ropivacaine diluted to 50mls with 0.9% saline soon after the creation of the laparotomy . In the placebo arm, 50mls of 0.9% normal saline will be used in a similar fashion. At closure, two small 2mm catheter belonging to the On-Q pain buster system will be placed in the peritoneal cavity. This will be attached to a pump which will contain either a 0.2% ropivacaine solution or 0.9% saline placebo running at 4mls/hr for 68 hours. All members involved in patient care (with the exception of one nurse) will be blinded to the above. After 68 hours the pump will be stopped and the catheter will be removed. Assessment of postoperative pain will be performed by visual analogue scale, and fatigue assessment will be done using the Identity Consequence Fatigue Scale (ICFS) at various intervals post-operatively. Blood tests for inflammatory markers including glucose, cortisol, CRP, albumin and several cytokines as well as local anaesthetic levels will be taken.