ABSTRACT
Background: The aim of the study was assessment of post-operative outcomes of rectus sheath block and comparison ofoutcomes between rectus sheath block and sub cutaneous bupivacaine.Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 58 patients who were scheduled to undergo laparotomy. Group I – 30 patientsreceived rectus sheath block using bupivacaine by placing catheters in between the muscle and posterior rectus sheath.Group II – 28 patients received bupivacaine infiltration by placing catheters in the subcutaneous plane. Visual analog scale(VAS) score, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), rescue analgesia, and complications were noted and follow-up of thesepatients was done.Results: Both the groups were comparable, hemoglobin concentration and anesthesiologists grades (statisticallyinsignificant). The majority of the patients from rectus sheath block group had VAS scores <5 comparing to subcutaneousinfiltration group which was statistically very significant (P ≤ 0.001). There was a statistically significant improvement ofpost-operative PEFR values in Group I as compared to Group II (P < 0.001). In Group I, 20 patients showed VAS scoreof 1 (no pain) at rest as compared only four patients in Group II. Rate of infection was more common in group receivingsubcutaneous infiltration.Conclusion: The patients from rectus sheath block group showed a statistically significant decrease in post-operative painin terms of VAS scores compared to that of subcutaneous bupivacaine infiltration group. There was statistically significantdecreased use of opioids as rescue analgesic in the rectus sheath group compared to that of the subcutaneous bupivacaineinfiltration group.