This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of rectus sheath block (RSB) and transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Both techniques are regional anesthesia methods used as part of multimodal analgesia to reduce postoperative pain and opioid requirements.
Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a RSB or a TAPB after general anesthesia. Postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption, recovery outcomes, area of sensory loss, time to first rescue analgesia, and block-related adverse events will be assessed and compared between the two groups.
This study will help determine which regional anesthesia technique provides more effective postoperative analgesia for laparoscopic bariatric surgery
Patients aged 20-60 years old
Scheduled for elective LBS including laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, proximal jejunal bypass, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) physical status III
Have ability to communicate and understand the study and accept to participate in the study
Patients who have following underlying disease: severe hepatic impairment [diagnosed of cirrhosis (Child-Pugh C)], coagulopathy (diagnosed of disease associated with abnormal coagulation), pre-existing neurological deficits, chronic pain (diagnosed of chronic pain disease or current use regular analgesic drugs), or any drug addiction.
Known allergy to bupivacaine or weighing less than 60 kg, as the planned doses of bupivacaine may exceed safe maximum limits.
Patient with previous foregut surgery including esophageal, gastric, liver and pancreases resection.
Parallel
Rectus Sheath Block
Procedure/SurgeryBilateral rectus sheath block will be performed by an anesthesiologist experienced in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. The ultrasound probe will be positioned at the midpoint between the xiphoid process and the umbilicus along the mid-clavicular line. After aseptic preparation of the puncture site and ultrasound probe, a needle will be advanced using an in-plane, lateral-to-medial approach under continuous ultrasound guidance. After correct needle-tip placement between the rectus abdominis muscle and the posterior rectus sheath, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 5 µg/mL will be injected on each side after negative aspiration. Local anesthetic spread will be monitored in real time, and the procedure will be repeated on the contralateral side using the same technique.
Transversus Abdominis Plane Block
Procedure/SurgeryBilateral transversus abdominis plane block will be performed by an anesthesiologist experienced in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. The ultrasound probe will be placed on the lateral abdominal wall between the costal margin and iliac crest at the mid-axillary line. Depth, frequency, and gain will be adjusted to clearly visualize the fascial plane between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. After aseptic preparation of the puncture site and ultrasound probe, a needle will be advanced using an in-plane approach under continuous ultrasound guidance. After correct needle-tip placement in the transversus abdominis plane, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 5 µg/mL will be injected on each side after negative aspiration. Local anesthetic spread within the fascial plane will be monitored in real time, and the procedure will be repeated on the contralateral side using the same technique.
Pain intensity during movement at 6 hours postoperatively (Pain-move-6hour)
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), an 11-point scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 represents the worst pain imaginable. Patients will be asked to rate their pain intensity by selecting the number that best reflected their level of pain during movement at 6 h postoperatively. Patients will be instructed to perform a standardized movement (including coughing, deep breathing, or changing position from supine to sitting) and then rate the pain intensity experienced during that movement.
Pain intensity at rest and during movement
Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed using the NRS. Pain scores will be recorded both at rest and movement at 0, 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours (except for movement at 6 hours which was defined as primary outcome) (Pain-rest-0hour, Pain-rest-2hour, Pain-rest-6hour, Pain-rest-12hour, Pain-rest-24hour, Pain-rest-48hour and Pain-move-0hour, Pain-move-2hour, Pain-move-12hour, Pain-move-24hour, Pain-move-48hour) postoperatively. For pain at rest, patients will be asked to rate their pain while lying comfortably without active movement. For pain during movement, patients will be instructed to perform a standardized movement (including coughing, deep breathing, or changing position from supine to sitting) and then rate the pain intensity experienced during that movement.
Intraoperative fentanyl consumption
Total intraoperative fentanyl consumption will be recorded for each patient and expressed in microgram. Fentanyl will be administered to standard clinical practice. The cumulative dose of fentanyl administered from induction of anesthesia until the end of surgery will be extracted from the anesthesia record
Area of sensory loss
The area of sensory loss will be assessed by testing for loss of cold sensation using a cold stimulus (ice). Sensory testing will be performed over the anterior abdominal wall, and dermatomal coverage will be recorded and mapped according to patient-reported loss of cold sensation compared with the contralateral or adjacent non-blocked area.
Time to first rescue analgesia
Time to first rescue analgesia will be defined as the interval, in minutes, from the end of surgery to the first activation (buttom press) of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device. Data will be extracted from the PCA device electronic record
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