New nerve block cuts opioid use after gastric sleeve surgery

This study looked at whether a special nerve block (called a rectointercostal fascial plane block) can help control pain after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, a common weight-loss surgery. Fifty-six adults with obesity were randomly assigned to receive either the nerve block plus standard painkillers or standard painkillers alone. The main goal was to see if the nerve block reduced the amount of opioids needed in the first 24 hours after surgery, with secondary goals of improving pain scores and patient satisfaction.