The efficacy of postoperative analgesia remains crucial in reducing early postoperative complications.1 Intraoperatively inserted catheters allowing continuous local anaesthetic infusion into laparotomy wounds are regaining popularity, with more effective devices being introduced.2
Our video demonstrates the technique for insertion of a ON-Q® Pain Relief System (B Braun Melsungen AG, Germany) into an abdominal wound.
Precise catheter insertion is performed under visual and tactile guidance. It is postulated that fewer opioids are required, including from patient-controlled analgesia, thereby reducing ileus. This may facilitate earlier discharge and reduce the need for the insertion of epidural catheters, which have potentially more serious complications.
References
- 1.Wu CL, Raja SN. Treatment of acute postoperative pain. Lancet 2011; : 2,215–2,225. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Bell R, Ward D, Jeffery J et al. A Randomized controlled trial comparing epidural analgesia versus continuous local anesthetic infiltration via abdominal wound catheter in open liver resection. Ann Surg 2019; : 413–419. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]