Rectus sheath catheters for continuous analgesia after upper abdominal surgery.
The segmental nerves T6-T11 pass through and innervate the rectus abdominis muscle and overlying skin. The arcuate lines compartmentalize the rectus, but they are deficient posteriorly and hence a catheter tunnelled into the posterior sheath can be used to achieve an effective continuous analgesic block. Volume is important to fill the compartment. It is a simple surgical procedure that has several advantages and appears a viable alternative to epidural analgesia.
Cornish
Philip
P
Department of Anaesthesia, Nelson Hospital, Nelson, New Zealand. philip.cornish@nmhs.govt.nz
Deacon
Alf
A
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000698:Analgesia; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000294:innervation
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine