Rectus Sheath Catheters Following Midline Laparotomy

Launched by ASKLEPIOS KLINIKEN HAMBURG GMBH · Jul 30, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at whether a special type of pain relief called rectus sheath catheters (RSC) can help people recover more comfortably after a certain type of abdominal surgery called a midline laparotomy. These catheters deliver local anesthetic medicine near nerves in the belly to reduce pain after surgery. The study wants to see if using RSC provides better pain control, improves recovery quality, and reduces the need for opioid painkillers like morphine during the first three days after surgery compared to a placebo (a treatment without active medicine).

Adults over 18 who are having this kind of surgery may be eligible, as long as they don’t have infections in the area, allergies to the anesthetic, chronic pain conditions, or other specific health issues like sepsis or pregnancy. Participants will receive either the RSC treatment or a placebo as part of their usual pain management plan and will be monitored for pain levels, recovery quality, and opioid use for 72 hours after surgery. This study is especially relevant for patients who cannot have other types of pain relief like epidurals due to medical reasons or personal choice. The trial has not started recruiting yet, and both men and women can take part.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Median laparotomy
• • Age over 18 years
• • Informed consent has been obtained
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Local signs of inflammation
• • known allergy to local anesthetics used
• • chronic pain syndrome
• • drug addiction
• • post-operative ventilation that cannot be completed on the day of surgery
• • lack of consent or cooperation
• • pregnancy
• • participation in another medical study
• • sepsis