Transverse abdominis plane block
 | This article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject. (February 2018) |
A transverse abdominis plane block, also called TAP block, is a regional technique to provide analgesia after lower abdominal wall operations. The techniques was first introduced by Rafi[1] in 2001. It is performed by injecting local anesthetic (commonly Ropivacaine or Bupivacaine) under ultrasound guidance between the plane of the internal oblique muscles and the transversalis muscles. The intercostal, subcostal, hypogastric, and ilioinguinal nerves are blocked. Duration of the block depends on the volume and concentration of the local anesthetic injected as well as any additives used, such as epinephrine.
The TAP block was the original fascial plane block for abdominal surgery. However, there are many alternatives with comparable or better analgesic efficacy [2][3]
References
- ^ Rafi, AN (October 2001). "Abdominal field block: a new approach via the lumbar triangle". Anaesthesia. 56 (10): 1024–6. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2044.2001.02279-40.x. PMID 11576144.
- ^ White, Leigh; Ji, Antony (2022-05-01). "External oblique intercostal plane block for upper abdominal surgery: use in obese patients". British Journal of Anaesthesia. 128 (5): e295–e297. doi:10.1016/j.bja.2022.02.011. ISSN 0007-0912. PMID 35249704. S2CID 247252383.
- ^ Malawat, Aman; Verma, Kalpana; Jethava, Durga; Jethava, Dharam Das (April 2020). "Erector spinae plane block and transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative analgesia in cesarean section: A prospective randomized comparative study". Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology. 36 (2): 201–206. doi:10.4103/joacp.JOACP_116_19. ISSN 0970-9185. PMC 7480289. PMID 33013035. S2CID 220044287.