Recto-Intercostal Fascial Plane and External Oblique Intercostal Blocks for Pain in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomyin Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Does the Addition of Recto-Intercostal Fascial Plane Block to External Oblique Intercostal Plane Block Improve the Quality of Postoperative Analgesia in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a common surgical procedure that can cause significant postoperative pain, particularly originating from trocar insertion sites. Regional anesthesia techniques are frequently used as part of multimodal analgesia to improve patient comfort.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of adding a recto-intercostal fascial plane block (RIFPB) to an external oblique intercostal plane block (EOIPB). Patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy will be randomly assigned to receive either an EOIPB alone or a combination of EOIPB and RIFPB. The primary objective is to determine if the combined block approach provides superior postoperative analgesia, evaluated by compared to the EOIPB alone.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged between 18 and 75 years
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I, II, or III
• Patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known allergy to local anesthetics
• Infection at the procedure/injection site
• Severe coagulopathy or use of anticoagulants
• Chronic opioid consumption or history of neuropathic pain