Comparison of the Effects of External Oblique Intercostal Plane Block and Subcostal Transversus Plane Block Methods With Ultrasound Guidance on Postoperative Analgesia in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Operations

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the external oblique intercostal plane block and the subcostal transversus abdominis plane block on postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Obesity is a global health problem currently treated with diet, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a common bariatric procedure that often results in moderate to severe postoperative pain. Adequate pain control after LSG is crucial for early mobilization and prevention of complications . As a relatively novel technique, the external oblique intercostal block (EOIB) provides analgesia for anterolateral upper abdominal surgery by blocking both the lateral and anterior cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves between T6-7 and T10-11 . The subcostal transversus abdominis plane (s-TAP) block provides sensory blockade over nearly the entire anterior abdominal wall between T6 and T9. Therefore, it can be considered as part of multimodal analgesia for both laparotomy and laparoscopic abdominal surgical procedures. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the external oblique intercostal block (EOIB) and the subcostal transversus abdominis plane (s-TAP) block on postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients aged between 18 and 65 years * Patients classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III Exclusion Criteria: * Patients younger than 18 years or older than 65 years * Inability to cooperate or comply with study procedures * Liver and kidney failure * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) IV-V patient * External oblique intercostal block(EOİB) and the Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane block(s-TAB) are contraindicated