The analgesic efficacy of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block

The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a novel approach for blocking the abdominal wall neural afferents via the bilateral lumbar triangles of Petit. It was described for the first time in 2007 by McDonnell et al. We applied the technique after the original methodology of the authors. We evaluated its analgesic efficacy first 24 postoperative hours of patients, undergoing to surgical and urological interventions. After induction of anesthesia, 20 ml of 0.375% levobupivacaine was deposited into the transversus abdominis neuro-fascial plane via the bilateral lumbar triangles of Petit. Each patient was evaluated by VAS in the postanesthesia care unit at the 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 h postoperatively. Despite the results were more unsatisfactory than those of McDonnel, they were good. Our first impression is that the TAP block provided highly effective postoperative analgesia in the first 24 postoperative hours after major abdominal surgery.     

Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block: a useful adjunct in the management of postoperative respiratory failure

The ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a useful tool in controlling postoperative pain following abdominal surgery. The bilateral ultrasound-guided TAP blocks successfully managed the pain of a patient presenting with hypoxemia and respiratory failure in the Post-anesthesia Care Unit, following a laparotomy for small bowel obstruction during general anesthesia. The TAP block reduced systemic opioid requirements and opioid-induced sedation and respiratory depression, improved patient compliance with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, and prevented the need for intubation and ventilation in the intensive care unit.     

腹横肌的CT解剖学及其在腹横肌平面阻滞的临床意义

目的探讨腹横肌在不同人群腹壁层面的厚度变化及其在腹横肌平面阻滞的临床意义。 方法回顾性分析2021年1-12月济南市中心医院胃肠外一科60例住院患者的临床及CT资料。用CT影像LIS系统测量不同水平腹横肌和腹壁厚度,分析腹横肌和腹壁厚度及其影响因素。 结果脐水平和髂前上棘水平腹横肌厚度在不同体质量指数（BMI）、性别和年龄之间差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;脐水平与髂前上棘水平腹壁厚度在不同性别、BMI之间差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）,在不同年龄之间差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。 结论腹横肌厚度在不同人群腹壁层面相对恒定,对腹腔镜辅助腹横肌平面阻滞具有重要参考意义。     

A randomised controlled trial of the efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in laparoscopic colorectal surgery

Background

Optimal analgesia following laparoscopic colorectal resection is yet to be determined; however, recent studies have questioned the role of postoperative epidural anaesthesia, suggesting other analgesic modalities may be preferable. The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to assess the effect of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks on opioid requirements in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection.

Methods

After appropriate trial registration (www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT 00830089) and local medical ethics review board approval (REC 09/H0407/10), all adult patients who were to undergo laparoscopic colorectal surgery at a single centre were randomised into the intervention group receiving bilateral TAP blocks or the control group (no TAP block). The blocks were administered prior to surgery after the induction of a standardised anaesthetic by an anaesthetist otherwise uninvolved with the case. The patient, theatre anaesthetist, surgeon, and ward staff were blinded to treatment allocation. All patients received postoperative analgesia of paracetamol and morphine as a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Cumulative opioid consumption and pain scores were recorded at 2, 4, 6, and 24 h postoperatively and compared between the groups as were clinical outcomes and length of stay.

Results

The intervention (TAP block) group (n = 33) and the control group (n = 35) were comparable with respect to characteristics, specimen pathology, and type of procedure. The TAP block group’s median cumulative morphine usage (40 mg [IQR = 25–63]) was significantly less than that of the control group (60 mg [IQR = 39–81]). Pain scores and median length of stay (LOS) were similar between the two groups.

Conclusion

Preoperative TAP blocks in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection reduced opioid use in the first postoperative day in this study.     

Clinical effectiveness of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in abdominal surgery: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Aim Reduced opioid use in the immediate postoperative period is associated with decreased complications. This study aimed to determine the effect of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block on morphine requirements 24 h after abdominal surgery. Secondary outcomes included the effect of TAP block on morphine use 48 h after surgery, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and impact on reported pain scores (visual analogue scale). Method A systematic review of the literature was conducted for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of TAP block in adults undergoing abdominal surgery. For continuous data, weighted mean differences (WMD) were formulated; for dichotomous data, odds ratios (OR) were calculated. Results were produced with a random effects model with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Nine studies, including published and unpublished data, containing a total of 413 patients were included. Of these 205 received a TAP block and 208 a placebo. Cumulative morphine utilization was statistically significantly reduced at 24 h. [WMD = 23.71 mg (38.66–8.76); P = 0.002] and 48 h [WMD = 38.08 mg (18.97–57.19); P < 0.0001] in patients who received a TAP block and the incidence of PONV was significantly reduced [OR = 0.41(0.22–0.74); P = 0.003]. There was a nonsignificant reduction in the visual analogue scales of postoperative pain [WMD = 0.73 cm (1.84–0.38), P = 0.2]. There were no reported adverse events following TAP block. Conclusion Transversus abdominis plane block is safe, reduces postoperative morphine requirements, nausea and vomiting and possibly the severity of pain after abdominal surgery. It should be considered as part of a multimodal approach to anaesthesia and enhanced recovery in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.     

Serum concentration of lidocaine after transversus abdominis plane block

We measured the serum concentration of lidocaine after transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with 40 ml of 1% lidocaine in 12 patients under general anesthesia, using a fluorescence polarization immunoassay. The peak mean serum concentration of lidocaine occurred 30 min after the block (3.6 ± 0.7 μg·ml⁻¹). The highest concentration of lidocaine (5.5 μg·ml⁻¹) was recorded 15 min after the block. These results indicate that a TAP block can potentially cause systemic toxicity of a local anesthetic. The analgesic effect of the TAP block may partially depend on the rise in serum concentration of the local anesthetic.     

Postoperative analgesia via transversus abdominis plane (TAP) catheter for small weight children-our initial experience

Pain management in small infants and children is challenging. We report the use of unilateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) catheters for analgesia following single-sided open lower abdominal surgery when epidural analgesia was undesirable in a series of six low-weight children. Data collection was done via a retrospective chart review. All catheters attempted were successfully placed with resultant low pain scores and the minimal use of rescue analgesic medications. No complications were reported related to these catheters. TAP catheters, although technically challenging, are feasible for the provision of analgesia for surgeries involving the lower abdominal wall in very small patients.     

Children with spinal dysraphism: transversus abdominis plane (TAP) catheters to the rescue!

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block catheters may offer an alternative to a central neuraxial blockade for patients undergoing major abdominal surgery (Paediatr Anaesth 19: 2009; 296). This case series consists of two children with spinal dysraphism in whom bilateral TAP block catheters were placed for postoperative pain relief. Administration of low dose, low concentration local anesthetic provided both children with excellent postoperative analgesia.     

Oblique sub-costal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) catheters: an alternative to epidural analgesia after upper abdominal surgery

The authors present three cases where catheters placed in the oblique sub-costal transversus abdominis plane provided prolonged analgesia after upper abdominal surgery. Patient 1 was admitted with severe sepsis following major hepatobiliary surgery. Bilateral catheters facilitated weaning from mechanical ventilation and provided adequate analgesia for 4 days. Patient 2 underwent emergency laparotomy for intestinal obstruction having refused consent for epidural analgesia. The transversus abdominis plane catheters provided a significant opioid sparing effect. A unilateral catheter offered rescue analgesia in patient 3 when the epidural catheter was displaced. We put forward a case for oblique sub-costal transversus abdominis plane catheters as an alternative to epidural analgesia after upper abdominal surgery.     

Efficacy of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in pain management after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG): A double-blind randomized controlled trial

Background

The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the effectiveness of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in post-operative pain management in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

The efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block in patients undergoing hysterectomy

The study objective of this prospective, double-blind randomised controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and bupivacaine infiltration of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the wound in patients undergoing hysterectomy. Patients were randomly allocated to three groups: a control group (n = 18) and TAP block group (n = 18) received bilateral TAP blocks with saline and bupivacaine respectively, and an infiltration group (n = 19) received skin and subcutaneous wound tissue infiltration with bupivacaine at the end of surgery. After surgery patients received patient-controlled intravenous tramadol and were assessed for pain and tramadol consumption at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24 hours. Both the TAP and infiltration groups had lower movement and rest pain scores than the control group, with lower scores in the TAP group than the infiltration group at 6 and 24 hours. Total tramadol consumption was significantly lower in the TAP group than in the other groups at all time points. We concluded that ultrasound-guided TAP block reduced rest and movement pain after total abdominal hysterectomy and was more effective than superficial wound infiltration for postoperative pain management.     

腹横肌平面阻滞在腹式全子宫切除术中的应用经验

目的探讨腹横肌平面阻滞(TAP)技术在腹式全子宫切除术中的应用。方法选择择期行开腹全子宫切除术患者50例,分为两组(n=25),腹横肌平面阻滞组(TAP组)和对照组。TAP组患者在全麻插管后实施B超引导下双侧腹横肌平面阻滞,对照组患者不行阻滞,两组患者术后均采用相同静脉自控镇痛方案。比较两组患者术后各项监测指标的差异。结果 TAP组患者术毕清醒时间,术后VAS疼痛评分、排气时间、早期下床时间、出院时间均较对照组显著降低。结论腹横肌平面阻滞(TAP)技术在开腹全子宫切除术中能使患者早期苏醒,减少术后疼痛,提早下床活动及减少住院时间等作用,有益于患者术后快速康复。