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

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.

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