Analgesic efficacy of external oblique intercostal plane block in paediatric patients undergoing upper abdominal surgeries: A randomised controlled trial

Background and Aims: The external oblique intercostal (EOI) plane block is a new interfascial plane block covering both the lateral and anterior cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves. The literature on its use is scarce in paediatric abdominal surgeries. Methods: Forty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I/II patients aged between 2 months and 7 years undergoing upper abdominal surgery with unilateral subcostal incision were randomised: Group E received an ultrasound guided unilateral EOI block using 0.5 mL/kg of 0.2% ropivacaine with general anaesthesia, whereas Group C received general anaesthesia (GA) only. All patients received GA in a standardised manner. Any increase in heart rate or mean arterial pressure of more than 20% was treated with intravenous (IV) fentanyl 0.5 µg/kg. Postoperatively, tramadol 1 mg/kg IV was given as rescue analgesia if the pain score was ≥4. The study’s primary outcome was to assess the intraoperative fentanyl consumption. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain score at 1, 4, 8, 16, and 24 h at rest, time to first rescue analgesic administration, 24 h tramadol consumption, and incidence of side effects such as nausea and vomiting. P