NCT07502833

Recto-intercostal Fascial Plane Block in Cholecystectomy

Recto-intercostal Fascial Plane Block Reduces Intraoperative Opioid and Volatile Anesthetic Use: a Randomized Trial in Cholecystectomy

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 64 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Ankara Etlik City Hospital · Other Government
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to evaluate whether an ultrasound-guided recto-intercostal fascial plane block performed before surgical incision in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy reduces intraoperative opioid and volatile anesthetic consumption. Additionally, the study assesses its effects on postoperative pain and the incidence of nausea and vomiting.

Detailed description

This prospective, randomized controlled trial is conducted at Etlik City Hospital and includes adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Institutional Ethics Committee approval is obtained, and the study is conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Participants are randomly assigned into two groups using a closed-envelope method. All patients receive general anesthesia. After induction and intubation, the block group receives an ultrasound-guided recto-intercostal fascial plane block prior to surgical incision, while the control group receives standard analgesic management. Anesthesia is maintained at approximately 1 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) with bispectral index (BIS) values between 40 and 60. The primary outcome is intraoperative opioid and volatile anesthetic consumption. Secondary outcomes include intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, postoperative pain intensity assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). The recto-intercostal fascial plane block is performed under ultrasound guidance by an experienced anesthesiologist under aseptic conditions. Local anesthetic is administered bilaterally into the fascial plane between the rectus muscle and the costal cartilage.

Conditions

• Pain Management
• Recto Intercostal Nerve Block

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Procedure: Recto-intercostal fascial plane block	A total of 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine is administered bilaterally under ultrasound guidance into the recto-intercostal fascial plane prior to surgical incision.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-01-03
• Primary completion: 2026-03-20
• Completion: 2026-03-30
• First posted: 2026-03-31
• Last updated: 2026-03-31

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)