Efficacy of bilateral ultrasonography-guided transversus abdominis plane block after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: Prospective, randomized, controlled study

Aim: Transversus Abdominis Plan (TAP) block is an interfascial plane block, commonly used as an analgesic technique   in abdominal surgeries. The aim of this study is to investigate the postoperative analgesic efficacy of bilateral ultrasonography (US) guided TAP block in patients scheduled for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.Method: In this randomized prospective study; 48 patients, 18-65 years, ASA I-II, morbidly obese (BMI>35), underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were included. The patients randomized into two groups: TAP block Group (group TAP) and Control Group (group C). At the end of the operation, bilateral TAP block were performed to 24 patients in Group TAP with a total 40 ml of local solution. 20 ml of local solution was injected into the trocar incision lines of all patients. Patient-controlled analgesia was administered to all patients at a dose of 5 mg/ml tramadol. Tramadol consumption, visual analogue scores (VAS) and the need of rescue analgesia (paracetamol) of the patients at postoperative first 24th hours were recorded.Results: There is no statistical difference in terms of demographic data. Total tramadol consumption and VAS were significantly higher in the Group C (p<0.01). No complications were found in either group.Conclusions: US-guided TAP block provides effective analgesia in patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery.