Recto-intercostal Facial Plane Block in Laparoscopic Hiatus Hernia Repair

Ultrasound guided bilateral recto-intercostal facial plane block will be done after induction of general anesthesia using bupivacaine 0.25%. A linear ultrasound transducer Philips CX50 (5-14 MHz) will be placed 2-3 cm lateral and caudal to the xiphoid in the epigastric area. The rectus abdominis muscle and its insertion, 6th and 7th cartilage ribs will be visualized. The needle will be inserted between rectus abdominis muscle and the costal cartilages with an in-plane technique in a caudal-cranial way. Hydro-dissection will be performed with 5 ml saline for confirmation needle tip position, 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine will be injected, the same procedure will be then repeated with 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine on the contra-lateral side (a total of 40 ml bilaterally).

General anesthesia without performing any block.