Subcostal TAP Block Versus Combined Subcostal TAP and Recto-Intercostal Fascial Plane Block for Analgesia After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is commonly associated with moderate postoperative pain, particularly during the early postoperative period. Inadequate postoperative analgesia may negatively affect patient comfort and recovery, increase opioid consumption, and contribute to opioid-related adverse effects. Therefore, effective multimodal analgesic strategies are of considerable importance in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthesia technique used to provide analgesia for upper abdominal surgery. However, its analgesic coverage may be insufficient in some patients because of the complex innervation of the upper abdominal wall. The recto-intercostal fascial plane block has been described as a fascial plane block targeting the anterior branches of the thoracoabdominal nerves and may provide additional analgesic benefit when combined with subcostal TAP block. This study aims to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of bilateral subcostal TAP block alone with that of bilateral subcostal TAP block combined with recto-intercostal fascial plane block in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.