Postoperative analgesia of ultrasound guided rectus sheath catheters versus continuous wound catheters for colorectal surgery: A randomized clinical trial

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the postoperative analgesia and morphine requirements of ultrasound guided rectus sheath catheters versus continuous wound catheters in midline open colorectal surgery patients.MethodsSixty patients of both sexes aged 40–65years were randomized into 2 equal groups to receive postoperative analgesia through either a wound catheter continuous infusion (group I) or rectus sheath catheters (group II). The trial is registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12615000636550.ResultsHeart rate and mean arterial blood pressure increased significantly in group I at 12 and 24h as compared to time 0 and 48h (P<0.05). There was a significant increase in heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure in group I as compared to group II at all-time intervals (p<0.05). There was a significant decrease in Visual analogue score at rest and with movement and in group II as compared to group I at all-time intervals (p