Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block and Modified Thoracoabdominal Nerve Block Through Perichondrial Approach (M-TAPA) for Postoperative Analgesia After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Study

This study compared two ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia techniques for pain relief after laparoscopic gallbladder surgery: the modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through a perichondrial approach and the erector spinae plane block.

Adults undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive one of these two nerve blocks on both sides of the body before awakening from anesthesia. Both techniques used bupivacaine as the local anesthetic.

After surgery, pain intensity, tramadol consumption, need for additional pain medication, nausea and vomiting, antiemetic use, and block-related complications were assessed during the first 24 postoperative hours. The main objective was to determine whether the two techniques differed in their ability to reduce postoperative tramadol consumption and provide effective pain relief.