Evaluating Autonomic Neural Blockade to Reduce Pain and Nausea After Sleeve Gastrectomy or Gastric Bypass Surgery

What this Trial Is About

This research evaluates whether autonomic nerve block ANB, which blocks pain and nausea signals, can reduce pain and the need for anti-nausea medications during the first 72 hours after sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass surgery. The study is a single-blinded randomized controlled trial involving adults undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery for severe obesity. It compares the effects of ANB with the standard care approach on post-operative pain and nausea. Participants are randomly assigned to either the standard care group or the ANB group before surgery. Both groups receive local anesthetic injections into the abdominal wall as part of standard care. The ANB group receives an additional injection of local anesthetics 0.5% bupivacaine and liposomal bupivacaine to block nerves around the stomach, specifically along the lesser curve and near the celiac trunk. This block is administered laparoscopically using a needle and syringe through a port during surgery. During the study, participants pain medication use measured in morphine milligram equivalents is tracked for 72 hours after surgery. Pain levels are assessed using a numerical rating scale on the day of surgery and for three days afterward. Nausea, retching, and vomiting symptoms are also monitored during this period. The study aims to determine if ANB affects pain and nausea experience and medication requirements after bariatric surgery.

Autonomic Neural Blockade in Bariatric Surgery