Anest. intenziv. Med. 2010;21(2):85-90

The effect of transversus abdominis plane block on post-operative pain relief: a prospective auditAnaesthesiology - Original Paper

P. Mcaleavey Francis^1,*, Michálek Pavel^1,2, Pokorný Lukáš¹, Periketi Dayakar¹

¹ Department of Anaestetics, Antrim Area Hospital, 45 Bush Road, Antrim, United Kingdom/Northern Ireland

² 3. lékařská fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, Praha

Objective:
The tranversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a relatively new regional anaesthesia technique for provision of analgesia following abdominal surgery. Local anaesthetic is injected into the plane between transversus abdominis and the internal oblique muscles. The TAP block can be performed employing either a landmark technique or with ultrasound guidance. The goal of this audit was to ascertain the quality of postoperative analgesia following abdominal surgery in patients in whom the TAP block had been employed, patient satisfaction with analgesia and complication rate of the technique.

Design:
Prospective audit.


Settings:
Department of Anaesthetics, Regional Teaching Hospital.

Material and methods:
Patients included in the audit were administered TAP blocks, either by landmark or ultrasound guided technique. These patients were then reviewed in recovery ward and at 24 hours postoperatively. Patients received standard intraoperative and post-operative analgesia in addition to the TAP blocks.

Results:
63 patients were included in the audit. 1 patient had incomplete information returned. 1 patient was unable to be assessed as she required ventilation in ICU. 89% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of postoperative analgesia. 59 patients reported no pain or mild pain in recovery ward and 52 patients reported no pain or mild pain at 24 hours. No patient suffered a complication as the result of a TAP block.

Conclusion:
TAP block appears to be a safe and effective adjunct in the management of pain following abdominal surgery. It is well tolerated by patients.

Keywords: transversus abdominis plane block; laparotomy; major laparoscopic surgery; ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia

Published: April 1, 2010  Show citation