External Oblique Intercostal Block in Ostomy Patients: Case Reports 

Tsai E, Owolabi A, Kwater A, Popat K, Donahue H, Hancher-Hodges S, Ghebremichael S, Van Meter A, Williams U, Garcia V, Shrestha L, Kurian J and A Zavala

 

The external oblique intercostal (EOI) plane block is a regional technique that has gained popularity as an abdominal wall block, providing an alternative to traditional approaches such as the subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and rectus sheath block.  The technique involves injection of local anesthetic between the intercostal and external oblique muscles to block the anterior and lateral cutaneous branches of the thoracoabdominal nerves (T6-10), which results in upper abdominal analgesia.  When scanning, it is easy to visualize superficial structures regardless of body habitus and the technique is not limited by abdominal tubes or drains within the operative field.  

 

We present a series of 3 cases in which the EOI block was utilized as an effective alternative for abdominal wall analgesia.