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Enhancing postoperative pain control by surgically-initiated rectus sheath block in abdominal aortic aneurysm open repair: A case report

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair often involves significant postoperative pain, traditionally managed with systemic opioids, which can cause undesirable side effects. This case report explores the novel use of a surgically-initiated rectus sheath block with a catheter-over-needle assembly for pain management in AAA repair. CASE SUMMARY: A 67-year-old female with hypertension and previous aortic dissection underwent elective open repair of an infrarenal AAA, which had grown from 3.4 cm to 4.3 cm over 14 months. A rectus sheath block was initiated surgically for postoperative pain control. The patient reported low pain scores and did not require systemic intravenous opioids, enabling early ambulation and discharge on postoperative day seven without complications. By preventing complications of systemic opioids, the method indicating a promising direction for postoperative pain management in major vascular surgeries. CONCLUSION: Surgically-initiated rectus sheath block as a valuable tool for managing postoperative pain in AAA repair.

Source: World Journal of Clinical Cases

DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v13.i6.100673

Authors: Kuan-Hua Chen, Ming-Yuan Kang, Yi-Ting Chang, Sheng-Yang Huang, Yung-Szu Wu

Institutions: Taichung Veterans General Hospital, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, National Chung Hsing University

Language: English

Topic: Anesthesia and Pain Management

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: National Institute for Health and Care Research, Research for Patient Benefit Programme