The Use of Abdominal Fascial Plane Blocks for Post-Operative Analgesia in Intestinal Rehabilitation Patients – A Retrospective Comparative Study

Authors

Brittany A. Brown, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Lauren E. Costello, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Elizabeth C. Ternent-Recht, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Trevor J. Wilke, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Cale A. Kassel, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow

ORCID (Optional)

https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7140-3198

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2742-4674

Document Type

Original Report

Disciplines

Anesthesiology | Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics

Abstract

Background: Short gut syndrome affects both pediatric and adult patients often requiring multiple surgical procedures to improve intestinal function. Identifying methods to improve pain control and reduce opioid consumption is an important consideration for this patient population.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 115 patients less than 12 years of age undergoing abdominal procedures between August 1, 2012, and December 31, 2019, was performed. From this group, 64 patients had a perioperative abdominal wall fascial plane block performed and were compared to 51 patients who did not have a block performed.

Results: Mean opioid use defined as morphine equivalent daily dose per kilogram was not different between the two groups at 24 hours. However, the median inter-quartile range showed a statistical difference at 24 hours. No adverse events were noted in patients who received abdominal wall fascial plane blocks.

Conclusion: The addition of abdominal wall fascial plane blocks is a safe option to improve post-operative pain control in pediatric intestinal rehabilitation patients. Further research into the abdominal fascial plane block can better define the optimal timing of the block and help in the selection of which procedure to reduce opioid consumption post-operatively.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.32873/unmc.dc.gmerj.6.2.008

Keywords

Regional anesthesia, acute pain, opioids, intestinal rehabilitation

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Brown, B. A., Costello, L. E., Ternent-Recht, E. C., Wilke, T. J., , Kassel, C. A. The Use of Abdominal Fascial Plane Blocks for Post-Operative Analgesia in Intestinal Rehabilitation Patients – A Retrospective Comparative Study. Graduate Medical Education Research Journal. 2024 Dec 31; 6(2).
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/gmerj/vol6/iss2/8