Abdominal wall blocks for emergency ileostomy operation in a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia: a case report

Abstract

The anesthesia method to be administered during emergency surgical procedures for COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pneumonia patients carries great importance for both patient and surgical team. Regional blocks are generally used to ensure postoperative analgesia after abdominal surgery with general anesthesia. In this case, involving a patient receiving anticoagulant treatment due to COVID-19 pneumonia with planned emergency operation, the aim was to present the anesthesia management with rectus sheath and transversus abdominis plane block combination for the ileostomy operation. Due to the administered blocks, the patient was not given general anesthesia. Hence, transmission was reduced by minimizing aerosol formation in terms of protecting health personnel and worsening of the patient’s pneumonia was prevented. The case is discussed in terms of regional anesthesia techniques offering a good alternative in appropriate cases for both employee and patient safety in the present day, when the whole world is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Combinations of nerve blocks in surgery for post COVID-19 pulmonary sequelae patient: A case report and review of literature

“…In this case, combined PECS-II, parasternal, and intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) blocks were used as alternatives to general anesthesia for the anesthetic management of patients with COVID-19. In patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, regional blocks have advantages in terms of protecting the medical staff by minimizing the formation of aerosols and preventing the exacerbation of pneumonia in patients by preventing pulmonary complications caused by general anesthesia[ 9 ]. This case suggests that regional anesthesia is a safe alternative for managing breast surgery, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”