Ultrasound Blocks for the Anterior Abdominal Wall

1. Anatomy for Anesthesiologists | 13
1. Anatomy for Anesthesiologists
Zhirajr Mokini
Anterior Abdominal Wall Structure
The abdominal wall and the abdominal organs are involved to
a variable extent in general, gynecologic, obstetric, vascular and
urological surgery. The extent of involvement of the abdominal
wall, of the peritoneum and of the abdominal organs determines
the presence and the severity of the somatic and visceral
components of post-surgical pain. For this reason, operations
selectively involving the abdominal wall or the groin and the
spermatic cord are considered surface procedures. They cause
prevalently somatic pain to the abdominal wall. Procedures
requiring laparotomy and involving the abdominal organs may
cause severe somatic and visceral pain. Blocks of the anterior
abdominal wall aim at eliminating the somatic component of
surgical pain.
The anterior abdominal wall is formed by skin and a
musculo-aponeurotic layer in which all muscles are covered by a
posterior and an anterior fascia (Figure 1.1, 1.2, 1.3).