A Randomized Controlled Trial to Know Effectiveness of Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section for Postoperative Pain Management

Abstract

Aim: To assess the adequacy of TAP block in managing pain caused by performing a cesarean section.

Study Design: A Randomized controlled trial

Place and Duration: This study was conducted at Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Sukkur Pakistan from July 2020 to June 2021 

Methodology: A total of 100 study participants were to go through a cesarean section and were divided into two groups; one group was prepped for TAP. TAP group patients received a bilateral, landmark orientated TAP block in the triangle of Petit. For both groups, post-surgery care was kept similar. Pain experienced by the patients in both groups was measured post-operatively via the visual analog scale (VAS). Simultaneously painkillers that were being administered were also being measured and mutually compared.

Results: TAP block assessment showed no adverse reactions. Patients of the TAP block group complained less of pain and were relatively at ease when it came to resting, breathing, coughing, or moving. The other group (the control group) showed more morphine and diclofenac consumption.

Conclusion: Tranversus abdominis plane block helped reduce pain in both rest and mobile conditions. Consequently, patients relied less on painkillers. As this method of pain management postoperatively is cheaper and easily available even in economically challenged third world nations, incorporating this technique could significantly improve cesarean section’s multimodal analgesia regimen.