Analgesic Efficacy of Ultrasound Guided Right External Oblique Intercostal Plane Block With Posterior Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Postoperative pain management is essential after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), a minimally invasive but often painful procedure. Traditional analgesics like NSAIDs and opioids carry side effects, prompting interest in ultrasound-guided truncal blocks as a safer, effective alternative. This study investigates the analgesic efficacy of a combination of right-sided external oblique intercostal plane block (EOIPB) and posterior transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in reducing postoperative opioid requirement and better pain scores in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: his randomized controlled trial, 80 patients undergoing elective LC were divided into two groups: Group A (control group) received standard general anaesthesia without regional blocks, while Group B (block group) received standard general anaesthesia along with right-sided EOIPB and posterior TAP block under ultrasound guidance. Postoperative opioid requirements, time to first rescue analgesia, numeric rating scale (NRS) scores at various intervals, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) incidence were assessed. : Group B demonstrated signific Results antly lower number of patients requiring Inj. Tramadol in the first 12 and 24 hours (p < 0.0001), longer duration before first rescue analgesia (12.80 vs. 5.96 hours, p<0.0001), and lower NRS scores at all time intervals compared to Group A. Group B also had significantly lower rates of PONV (p<0.05). No complications were observed related to the blocks. Ultrasound-guided right EOIPB combined with right posterior TAP Conclusion: provides effective analgesia, reduces opioid requirement, and lowers PONV incidence in patients undergoing LC. This approach is safe, feasible in the supine position, and presents as a promising option for enhanced postoperative recovery following LC.