TAP block comfort for lower abdominal surgery in pediatric patients

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block after lower abdominal surgery on pain severity and additional analgesic requirement in a pediatric patient group. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 46 ASA I children aged 2-18 years undergoing abdominal surgery were divided into two groups. Group T (n: 20) patients who were under the general anesthesia received ultrasound-guided TAP block with 0.5 mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine immediately after the operation. Group O (n: 26) patients were administered intravenous (I.V.) 2 µcg/kg opioid (fentanyl) analgesia after recovery from general anesthesia. The patients were taken to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) for recovery and initial pain observation. Patients pain was assessed by using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score within the first 24 hours following surgery. Results: The incidence of the additional analgesic requirement in the TAP block(%15) group was statistically significantly lower than in the I.V. opioid group(%65). There was a difference between the first analgesic requirement and the discharging time according to TAP block administration, but it was statistically insignificant. The VAS scores at 4 hr and 8 hr in the TAP block group were statistically significantly lower than in the IV opioid group(4.VAS:4.90±1,21 5.90±0.85; 8.VAS:4.05±0.76 3.10±0.85). The VAS scores at postoperative 2 hr were decreased in both groups. However, the decrease in the VAS score at 2 hr was greater in the TAP block group. Conclusion: TAP block was superior to IV opioids in reducing additional analgesic requirements in pediatric patients undergoing abdominal surgery. It will contribute further to early discharging a patient as it allows early mobilization.