Deep Rectus Sheath Block for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Deep Rectus Sheath Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be considerable. Regional techniques such as erector spinae plane (ESP) block or transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block may be suitable for patients at increased risk of postoperative pain. The deep rectus sheath block is a novel block which is a modified version of the conventional rectus sheath block. It was reported in a few case reports that, it may be used for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study is to investigate the postoperative analgesic efficacy of deep rectus sheath block in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic gastrectomy will be separated into 2 groups: Control Group and Deep Rectus Sheath Block Group. Patients in Control Group will be received patient controlled analgesia with morphine for postoperative analgesia. Patients in Deep Rectus Sheath Block Group will be performed Deep Rectus Sheath Block at the end of the surgery, along with patient controlled analgesia with morphine for postoperative analgesia. Morphine consumption for first postoperative 24 hours, numerical rating scale scores, amount of rescue analgesic drug, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting will be recorded.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 80 years
• Patients with American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status I-II
• Patients scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy to local anesthetics
• Coagulopathy
• Skin infection at the deep rectus sheath block area
• Advanced hepatic or renal failure
• Chronic pain syndromes
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Severe pulmonary and/or cardiovascular disease
• Psychiatric disorders