Trans-incisional vs Laparoscopic Guided Rectus Sheath Block for Pediatric Single Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Trans-incisional vs Laparoscopic Guided Rectus Sheath Block for Pediatric Single Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Trans-incisional Rectus Sheath Block Versus Laparoscopic Guided Rectus Sheath Block for Pediatric Single Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Prospective, Randomized Study

This is a prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled study comparing the efficacy of trans-incisional rectus sheath block to laparoscopic guided rectus sheath block for pediatric single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC). umbilical hernia repair in children. Patients aged 10-21 years old undergoing SILC for cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, or biliary dyskinesia will be screened for study inclusion. Eligible patients and their parents/guardians will be approached and, if agreeable, consented for the study pre-operatively. Patients will be randomized to receive either trans-incisional rectus sheath block or intra-operative rectus sheath block under direct laparoscopic visualization. Both will be done by the attending pediatric surgeon. The patient, patient guardians, select research team members, and Post anesthesia care unit (PACU) staff will be blinded to the method of analgesic administration.

Regional anesthesia has been increasingly utilized for providing post-operative analgesia for a number of surgical procedures in children. Rectus sheath block and local anesthetic infiltration of the surgical site are two common modes for providing post-operative analgesia. Studies comparing the two modes have shown ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block to improve immediate pain scores and reduce use of post-operative analgesia in pediatric patients undergoing umbilical hernia repair. However, these studies have compared pre-incisional ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block to post-operative local anesthetic infiltration as a subcutaneous and/or intradermal injection. Also, to our knowledge, there are no studies evaluating the use or efficacy of laparoscopic guided rectus sheath block for pediatric single-incision laparoscopic surgery. Single-incision surgery involves performing abdominal operations though a single, small incision, usually located at the umbilicus. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of trans-incisional rectus sheath block to intra-operative infiltration of the rectus sheath under direct laparoscopic visualization via an intra-abdominal approach for providing post-operative analgesia following single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) in children. The investigators propose a prospective study where pediatric patients who are undergoing single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy will be randomized pre-operatively to receive either a trans-incisional rectus sheath block after facial closure but prior to skin closure or intra-operative infiltration of the rectus sheath under direct laparoscopic visualization after cholecystectomy. The primary outcome is the post-operative pain rating based on the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS) following SILC. Additional outcomes measured will include: operative times, the use of intravenous/oral opioid and/or non-opioid medication in the post-operative period, duration of analgesia following surgery based on time to first rescue analgesic, intra-operative hemodynamic changes, post-operative hemodynamic changes, incidence of side-effects, and complications. Patients/patient guardians will receive a sheet to document post-operative WBFPRS scores, oral opioid and non-opioid medication administration once discharged to home for a total of 5 days.

rectus sheath block under direct visualization through the umbilical incision by the attending surgeon

After removal of the gallbladder, a predetermined volume of 0.2% ropivacaine (1cc/kg, max dose 10cc, divided into equal doses bilaterally) will be administered under direct visualization into the rectus sheath bilaterally by the attending surgeon. This will be done after closure of the fascial incision but prior to closure of the skin incision.

After removal of the gallbladder, a predetermined volume of 0.2% ropivacaine (1cc/kg, max dose 10cc, divided into equal doses bilaterally) will be administered intra-abdominally under direct laparoscopic visualization into the rectus sheath bilaterally by the attending surgeon.

Ropivacaine is a long-acting local anesthetic. It has been shown to be effective for peripheral nerve, caudal, and lumbar/thoracic epidural blocks and produce less motor blockade than bupivacaine after caudal administration. It will be the local anesthetic used to perform the rectus sheath block for both arms.

Using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS). The WBFPRS is a visual pain rating scale in which the participant looks at pictures of faces depicting levels of pain and chooses the one that most closely resembles their own pain. The scale ranges from 0 "no hurt" to 10 "Hurts Worst."

Amount of postoperative intravenous/oral opioid and non-opioid medications received by patient. This is being recorded as Morphine milligram equivalents (MME)/kilogram(kg) for days 1-5.

Number of participants with complications such as infection, bleeding, intravascular injection, bowel puncture.

Inclusion Criteria: Patients aged 10-21 years old undergoing single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy Exclusion Criteria: Patients with choledocolithiasis, gallstone pancreatitis, or sickle cell disease Allergy to bupivacaine Concurrent surgical procedure Developmental delay or neurologic diagnosis that would interfere with post- operative pain score assessment Chronic pain medication use, chronic pain disorder or complex regional pain syndrome Anesthesiologist classification of III or greater