Background: The transversus abdominis plane block (TAP block), a regional block, provides effective analgesia after lower abdominal surgeries. The objective of this study was to assess whether transversus abdominis plane block is effective as part of multimodal pain management following Cesarean section.
Materials and Method: Totally, 60 ASA I and II parturients for Cesarean section via Pfannenstiel incision under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to either the TAP block group or the control. The TAP block group received a landmark-orientated, bilateral TAP block with 0.25% levobupivacain 17,5ml each side in the triangle of Petit. Postoperative pain treatment followed the same protocole for both groups with 1gram paracetamol intravenously and received patrient-controlled analgesia with intravenous morphine. The time to first request of analgesic, morphine consumption, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores and side effects were scored at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 h postoperatively.
Results: The time to first request of analgesic was longer, morphine consumption was lower in TAP group than in the control (p < 0.05). Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at rest and on mouvement were similar in two groups at 2h, but lower in TAP group from 4h (p < 0.05). No severe adverse effects were detected in two groups.
Conclusion: TAP block prolonged the time to fisrt request of analgesic and reduced morphine consumption, the VAS pain scores significantly both at rest and on mouvement. Therefore, TAP block is feasible and effective as part of a multimodal analgesia regimen after Caesarean section.
Key words: Caesarean section, multimodal pain management, transversus abdominis plane block
Preoperative transversus abdominis plane block decreases intraoperative opiate use during pancreaticoduodenectomy
