Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery and External Oblique Intercostal Block

Adequate pain control in laparoscopic surgeries is associated with reduced postoperative opioid administration, faster mobilization, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stays. Intraoperative nerve blocks using local anesthetics have been shown to improve postoperative pain in various abdominal surgeries, both open and laparoscopic. Laparoscopic bariatric procedures are most often associated with moderate to severe visceral pain from surgical manipulation of the stomach and intestine. Combined regional and general anesthesia reduces surgical stress responses by interrupting pain transmission signals, which facilitates pain control, reduces opioid consumption, and improves patient postoperative satisfaction. Ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks have been rapidly included in regional anesthesia applications as an alternative to neuraxial techniques in recent years and include injection into a tissue plane to provide analgesia in various anatomical areas. The external oblique intercostal block (EOIB) represents an essential modification of the fascial plane block techniques that can consistently cover the upper lateral abdominal wall. The EOIB block has easily identifiable sonographic points. The study aims to investigate the effects of the EOIB on postoperative pain in morbidly obese patients who will undergo laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy by comparing it with the control group. It is seen that there are not enough studies on EOIB in the literature. Our study, which the investigators think will contribute to the literature, was planned as a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind, parallel-group study. Patients will be divided into two groups: Group EOIB : A bilateral EOIB (60 ml 0.25% bupivacaine + 1:400.000 adrenaline) will be performed. In addition, IV morphine-PCA will be applied postoperatively for 24 hours. Group Control: Patients in this group will not receive any block. IV morphine-PCA will be applied postoperatively for 24 hours.