Ultrasound-guided external oblique and rectus abdominis plane "EXORA" block for postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a propensity-matched study.

Abstract

Various types of plane blocks are used for analgesia in the upper abdomen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the external oblique and rectus abdominis plane (EXORA) block for antero-lateral upper abdominal analgesia. This study included 60 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were divided into control group, intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV.PCA) (N.=30) and EXORA group (block with 25 mL 0.25% bupivacaine + IV.PCA [N.=30]). Postoperative pain (at rest) was evaluated at 30 minutes, two, four, six, 12 and 24 hours using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores. Postoperative activity pain at two, four, six, 12 and 24 hours was also assessed using VAS. Secondary outcomes included tramadol use at 12 and 24 hours after surgery, side effect profile, dermatomal spread, and additional analgesic use. The VAS scores were statistically significantly lower in the EXORA group compared to the other groups (P<0.001). In addition, mean tramadol consumption at 12 and 24 hours was statistically significantly lower in the EXORA group (P<0.001). Sensory block was recorded in the lateral and anterior abdomen at T6 to T11 after EXORA block application. The EXORA block used to provide analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy provides analgesia to the upper abdominal wall. Further data may be obtained from cadaveric studies and other studies.