Asian Journal of Surgery (Oct 2022)

Rectus sheath block for acute pain management after robot-assisted prostatectomy

  • Jung-Woo Shim,
  • Sangmin Jung,
  • Hyong Woo Moon,
  • Ji Youl Lee,
  • Jaesik Park,
  • Hyung Mook Lee,
  • Yong-Suk Kim,
  • Sang Hyun Hong,
  • Min Suk Chae

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 45, no. 10
pp. 1843 – 1848

Abstract

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Background: Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is a favored surgical approach for treating prostate cancer. However, RALP does not decrease postoperative pain significantly despite its minimal invasiveness. The pain associated with robot-assisted surgery is most severe during the immediate postoperative period. We aimed to demonstrate that preoperative rectus sheath block (RSB) can reduce acute pain after RALP. Methods: A prospective non-randomized study with two parallel groups was performed from June 2020 to August 2020. A total of 100 patients undergoing RALP were divided into two groups: the RSB group (n = 50) and the non-RSB group (n = 50). Ultrasound-guided RSB was performed preoperatively only in the RSB group. The primary outcome of the study was the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score during coughing (VAS-C) 1 h after surgery. In addition, the VAS pain score at rest (VAS-R) and the VAS-C were assessed up to 24 h after surgery. The doses of postoperative opioids consumed were also recorded. Results: The RSB group had a significantly lower VAS-C 1 h after RALP (58 [47–73] vs. 74 [63–83] mm, p = 0.001). In addition, the RSB group had significantly lower VAS-R and VAS-C scores, and postoperative opioid requirement, up to 6 h after surgery compared to the non-RSB group. Moreover, the VAS-R was significantly lower in the RSB group than in the non-RSB group 24 h after surgery. Conclusion: Preoperative RSB significantly improved analgesia during the early period after RALP. The long-term analgesic efficacy of RSB needs further study.

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