External Oblique and Rectus Abdominis Plane Block Versus Quadratus Lumborum Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

External Oblique and Rectus Abdominis Plane (EXORA) Block Versus Quadratus Lumborum Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

This study aims to compare the effects of the external oblique and rectus abdominis plane (EXORA) block and the quadratus lumborum block (QLB) on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a proven, gold standard surgical procedure for the management of gallbladder stones.

The quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is a regional block that would appear to be similar to the posterior TAP block, although the drug injection area is deeper and more dorsal than the transverse abdominal aponeurosis.

The external oblique and rectus abdominis plane (EXORA) block is an emerging technique providing a sensory block to the anterolateral abdominal wall.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age from 18 to 65 years.
• Both sexes.
• American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status I-II.
• Undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) under general anesthesia.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of allergies to local anesthetics.
• Opioid dependency.
• Bleeding or coagulation disorders.
• Psychiatric and neurological disorder.
• Local infection at the site of injection.
• Body mass index (BMI) > 35.
• Hypertension.
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.