Rectus Sheath Catheters Compared With Saline After Midline Abdominal Surgery
Tests ropivacaine delivered through rectus sheath catheters in adults after midline abdominal surgery.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Rectus Sheath Catheters Following Midline Laparotomy
Key facts
- Where
- Schwedt, GermanySee the site
Where in Germany
- Asklepios Medical Center UckermarkSchwedt, GermanyTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Asklepios Kliniken Hamburg GmbH
- Trial code
- NCT07099924
- Record updated
- 28 October 2026
- Original description
Rectus sheath catheters (RSC) are used for postoperative analgesia following midline laparotomies. Local anesthetics are applied to the posterior rectus sheath via the RSC. The target structures are the anterior cutaneous branches of the spinal nerves Th7-Th12. RSC can be used in particular if thoracic epidurals are contraindicated (compromised coagulation), technically unfeasible or refused by the patient.Read full original descriptionShow less
Bilateral Rectus Sheath Catheters Following Midline Laparotomy. A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial
Rectus sheath catheters (RSC) are used for postoperative analgesia following midline laparotomies. Local anesthetics are applied to the posterior rectus sheath via the RSC. The target structures are the anterior cutaneous branches of the spinal nerves Th7-Th12. RSC can be used in particular if thoracic epidurals are contraindicated (compromised coagulation), technically unfeasible or refused by the patient.
The study investigates placebo-controlled weather RSC have a significant additional analgesic effect in a multimodal analgesic concept. Primary outcome parameters are the maximum pain score, the Quality-of-Recovery-15-Score (QoR-15GE) and the opioid consumption (morphine equivalents) in the first 72h postoperatively.
Inclusion: Median laparotomy; Age over 18 years; Informed consent has been obtained.
Exclusion: drug addiction; post-operative ventilation that cannot be completed on the day of surgery; known allergy to local anesthetics used; chronic pain syndrome; Local signs of inflammation; lack of consent or cooperation; pregnancy; participation in another medical study; sepsis.