Bilateral RSB vs TEA Epidural Analgesia for Postoperative Pain Control After Open Gastrectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Comparison of Bilateral Rectus Sheath Block and Thoracic Epidural Analgesia for Postoperative Pain Control After Open Gastrectomy

Patients indicated for elective open gastrectomy were screened, enrolled, and randomised between October 2021 and September 2023. The patients were randomised to either Group A (intervention-continuous bupivacaine) or Group B (control-NaCl saline). The primary outcome measures were the quantity of an opioid analgesic administered during the initial 72 h post-surgery and the level of postoperative pain as indicated by the visual analogue scale (VAS

Inclusion Criteria:

• (ASA) Grades I to III.
• all adult patients (≥18 years) scheduled for elective open gastrectomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• those requiring acute gastric surgery,
• individuals with known bupivacaine allergies
• and patients who declined analgesia via RSB catheters and continuous bupivacaine infusions.