The Medipol combination: Novel rectointercostal fascial plane block and pectointercostal fascial plane block for postoperative analgesia management after cardiac surgery: A report of 15 cases

Abstract

The parasternal blocks cannot cover the T7 and lower anterior and lateral branches of the thoracoabdominal nerves. In the open heart surgeries, chest drainage tubes are generally outside the target of the parasternal blocks. Recently, Tulgar et al described a novel interfascial plane block technique named "recto-intercostal fascial plane block" (RIFPB). RIFPB is performed between the rectus abdominis muscle and the sixth to seventh costal cartilages. RIFPB targets the anterior and lateral cutaneous branches of the T6-T9 thoracoabdominal nerves. In this clinical report, we want to share our experiences about pectointercostal plane block and RIFPB combination (Medipol Combination) after cardiac surgery.