Analgesic effect of transversus abdominis plane [TAP] block for abdominal surgery: comparison with standard post operative care

ABSTRACT

To compare post operative pain in patients undergoing TAP block with that of standard post operative care in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Fifty patients [21 males, 29 females] with ASA class I and II undergoing abdominal surgery were included in the study. Half of the patients selected through randomization received TAP block using landmark technique at the end of surgery under anaesthesia. The remaining half received standard post operative analgesia with nalbuphine and diclofenac sodium injections. All patients were questioned regarding the degree of analgesia on a Pakistan Coin Pain Scale till 12 hours post operatively. Use of analgesics was compared in the two groups postoperatively. The degree of pain was significantly lower in patients receiving TAP block compared with standard postoperative care [mean score 06 vs 16 p<0.05]. The quantity of nalbuphine [0.32 vs 4.08 p<0.01] and diclofenac sodium [9.0 vs 63 p<0.01] were significantly reduced in patients receiving TAP block compared with standard post operative care. Transversus abdominis plane block provides effective post operative analgesia and is associated with markedly reduced analgesic consumption