Analgesic and Respiratory Outcomes in Patients Receiving Continuous Bilateral Erector Spinae Plane Block Compared to Continuous Preperitoneal Catheter Wound Infusion After Upper Abdominal Surgery

An ultrasound linear probe is going to be placed in a longitudinal orientation 3 cm lateral to the T6 spinous process corresponding to the T5 transverse process. . Local infiltration with 2% of lignocaine at the site of needle insertion is going to be administered. Using in plane approach an 18 G Tuohy needle will be inserted in caudal-cephalad direction, until the tip is deep to erector spinae muscle, as evidenced by visible hydro-dissection below the muscle plane, and on injection of 5 ml of normal saline.

Towards the end of surgery, a multiholed 15-cm Anesthesia catheter will be placed in the preperitoneal space (the subfascial space between the peritoneum and posterior fascia) under direct vision and to be tunneled via the rectus sheath to the skin, rolled out and exiting laterally and stabilized with an adhesive tape on skin.