Objective To investigate the preemptive analgesic effects of somato-visceral blockade in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Methods One hundred patients were randomly divided into four groups: Group A received peri-portal infiltration of 25 ml 0.25% bupivacaine (contained 1:200 000 epinephrine) before incision; Group B received intraperitoneal spray of 35ml 0.25% bupivacaine immediately after the establishment of pneumoperitoneum; Group C received the management of both Group A and Group B; Group D was control group without management. The extent and location of pain and nausea were recorded and assessed at 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 postoperative hours, respectively. Results In the control group the incisional pain dominated over other pain locations within 24 hours postoperatively (P