External Oblique and Rectus Abdominis Plane (EXORA) Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Umbilical Hernia Repair

Tanta University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Postoperative Analgesia; Umbilical Hernia Repair; External Oblique and Rectus Abdominis Plane

Treatments: Other: Sham block; Other: External oblique and rectus abdominis plane (EXORA) block

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07012603

36264PR1207/5/25

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to evaluate the effect of the external oblique and rectus abdominis plane (EXORA) block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing umbilical hernia repair.

Full description

Umbilical hernias account for approximately 6-14% of adult abdominal wall hernias. These hernias are typically acquired and are mainly caused by increased abdominal pressure. Umbilical hernias do not heal on their own and usually require surgical intervention.

The external oblique and rectus abdominis plane (EXORA) block is an emerging technique providing a sensory block to the anterolateral abdominal wall. The EXORA block involves local anaesthetic injection into the fascial plane between the external oblique and rectus abdominis muscles. This method provides better dermatomal coverage, making the EXORA block particularly effective in the treatment of somatic pain in the anterolateral area of the upper and middle abdomen.

Enrollment: 50 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age from 18 to 65 years.
• Both sexes.
• American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status I-II.
• Undergoing umbilical hernia repair.

Exclusion criteria

• History of allergies to local anesthetics.
• Bleeding or coagulation disorders.
• Anatomical abnormalities.
• Psychiatric and neurological disorders.
• Local infection at the site of injection.
• Complicated hernial defects [strangulated, incarcerated, or obstructed cases].

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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50 participants in 2 patient groups

EXORA block group

Experimental group

Description:

Patients will receive an external oblique and rectus abdominis plane (EXORA) block using 20 mL of bupivacaine 0.25%.

Treatment:

Other: External oblique and rectus abdominis plane (EXORA) block

Control group

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Patients will receive a sham block using 20 mL of normal saline as a control group.

Treatment:

Other: Sham block