Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia techniques for post-caesarean analgesia: a narrative review of current evidence

Optimal postoperative pain management after caesarean delivery is a fundamental component of perioperative care and enhanced recovery protocols in obstetric anaes-thesia. Although intrathecal morphine (ITM) remains the gold standard for post-caesarean analgesia, its use is not always feasible or desirable. This narrative review synthesises current evidence regarding ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia techniques employed for post-caesarean analgesia, with emphasis on anatomical rationale, clinical efficacy, and their role when neuraxial opioids are omitted. Available data indicate that abdominal wall blocks provide effective somatic analgesia and meaningful opioid-sparing benefits, particularly in the absence of ITM. Careful technique selection and integration within multimodal analgesic pathways are essential to optimise postoperative outcomes.