Postoperative analgesia for Kasai portoenterostomy using external oblique intercostal blocks.

BACKGROUND

External Oblique Intercostal (EOI) fascial plane blockade is a relatively new regional anesthetic technique used for a variety of upper abdominal surgical procedures. Proponents of this block praise its simple sonoanatomy, extensive local anesthetic (LA) spread, and ease of catheter placement, while avoiding encroachment into the surgical field or dressing sites; nevertheless, it is underutilized in pediatric surgery. Kasai portoenterostomy is a common pediatric surgical procedure for biliary atresia typically done via an open abdominal approach with an extended subcostal incision. Postoperative analgesic management with epidural anesthetic techniques are considered but may be limited by periprocedural coagulopathy concerns.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of a neonate who underwent successful analgesic management of Kasai portoenterostomy with bilateral EOI block catheters. Opioid consumption and other postoperative outcomes were comparative to previously reported literature of epidural analgesia in this patient population.

CONCLUSIONS

The purpose of this report is to describe the outcomes and technical approach in a neonate who received EOI blocks as an alternative to epidural anesthetic management. Further studies are needed to compare the efficacy and complication rate of EOI blockade to epidural analgesia for Kasai portoenterostomy surgery.