Comparing Pain Relief Between Two Methods of Freezing Injections in Children Having Their Appendix Removed

Laparoscopic appendectomies are the most common emergency surgeries performed in children. Despite being considered minimally invasive surgeries, they can result in substantial postoperative pain and 2 of 3 patients require postoperative opioids. Increased postoperative pain can delay recovery, increase hospital admission time, lead to chronic pain, and cause patient distress. This study aims to reduce postoperative pain in this population by comparing the recovery outcomes associated with the administration of (1) an RSB with coadministration of IV dexamethasone as an LA adjunct (RSB+dex group) prior to the incision with (2) LA infiltration alone by the surgeon (LA group).