A Comparison of Analgesic Effect between Preoperative and Postoperative Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Blocks for Different Durations of Laparoscopic Gynecological Surgery

Abstract

Aim. -is study aims to compare the postoperative analgesia between preoperative and postoperative ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks for different durations of laparoscopic gynecological surgery. Methods. A total of 120 patients, ASA I-III, 18–65 years of age, were divided randomly into 2 groups: preoperative TAP group (pre-TAP group) and postoperative TAP group (post-TAP group). Patients in the pre-TAP group (n� 60) and post-TAP group (n� 60) received bilateral TAP blocks of 0.375% ropivacaine, 40mL, preoperatively and postoperatively, respectively. Duration of surgery, postoperative pain score, consumption of analgesics, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) during the first 24 h postoperatively were recorded. Results. For all the patients in the two groups, similar analgesia was obtained with no statistical difference.-e same results were found in duration of surgery <180min. Meanwhile, patients undergoing surgery >180min in the post-TAP group obtained lower postoperative pain score, lower analgesics consumption, and higher satisfaction score than those in the pre-TAP group. Conclusion. Postoperative TAP block could offer better postoperative analgesia than preoperative TAP block for patients undergoing surgery >180min. No difference was found in analgesia effect between preoperative TAP block and postoperative TAP block for patients undergoing surgery <180min.