Analgesic efficacy of the external oblique intercostal fascial plane block on postoperative acute pain in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a randomized controlled trial
- Author:
Elif Sarikaya OZEL
1
;
Cengiz KAYA
;
Esra TURUNC
;
Yasemin B. USTUN
;
Halil CEBECI
;
Burhan DOST
Author Information
- Publication Type:Clinical Research Article
- From:Korean Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;78(2):159-170
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) causes significant postoperative pain, necessitating effective multimodal analgesia strategies. This study evaluated the efficacy of the external oblique intercostal block (EOIB) in this context.
Methods:This prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind study conducted between April and December 2023 included 60 patients who underwent LSG. Patients were divided into the EOIB (30 ml 0.25% bupivacaine/side) and control (no block) groups. The primary outcome was the cumulative intravenous morphine milligram equivalent (MME) consumption in the first 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included 12-h MME consumption, pain scores, intraoperative remifentanil use, rescue analgesia requirements, time to first analgesic request, nausea/vomiting scores, antiemetic use, and American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire-Revised Turkish Version (APS-POQ-R-TR) scores.
Results:The control group had significantly higher median opioid consumption than the EOIB group at 12 (14.4 vs. 5.8 mg; P < 0.001) and 24 h (25.9 vs. 10.6 mg; P < 0.001) postoperatively. The need for rescue analgesics did not differ significantly (43.3 vs. 23.3%; P = 0.1). The EOIB group exhibited significantly higher patient satisfaction (APS-POQ-R-TR score 2.91 vs. 4.42; P < 0.001) and consistently lower pain scores across all time points (P < 0.001). The EOIB group had lower nausea/vomiting scores (P < 0.001), fewer patients requiring antiemetics (16.7% vs. 40%; P = 0.045), longer time to first morphine request (57.5 vs. 25 min; P < 0.001), and lower remifentanil use (850 vs. 1050 μg; P < 0.001).
Conclusions:The preoperative EOIB, as a part of multimodal analgesia, provides effective analgesia for acute pain in patients undergoing LSG.
