Comparison of preoperative versus postoperative transversus abdominis plane and rectus sheath block in patients undergoing minimally invasive colorectal surgery

The Effect of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Timing on Milliequivalents of Opioid Use and Immediate Postoperative Pain Scores in Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block timing (preoperative or postoperative) on postoperative opioid use (quantified via morphine milligram equivalents; MME) and pain scores in patients undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy for benign indications.

DESIGN

Retrospective, single-institution cohort study SETTING: Academic-affiliated community hospital PATIENTS: A total of 2982 patients were included who underwent a minimally invasive total hysterectomy between January 2018 and December 2022, excluding patients with a malignancy diagnosis, concurrent urogynecological procedure, vaginal hysterectomy, supracervical hysterectomy, or those with baseline narcotic use (opioid use within the 3 months before surgery). Patients were separated into 3 groups: no TAP blocks (n = 1966, 65.9%), preoperative TAP blocks (854, 28.6%), and postoperative TAP blocks (162, 5.4%).

INTERVENTIONS

Summary statistics and mixed-effects regression methods were used for data analysis.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

There was a statistically significant lower mean use of opioids (MME 43.2 vs 53.9, p = .002) among patients who received a TAP block (either pre or postoperatively) than those who did not receive a block. However, when comparing preoperative vs postoperative patients with TAP block, there was no statistically significant difference in mean opioid use (MME 43.4 vs 42.1, p = .752). There were no differences in postoperative pain scores between patients with and without a TAP block, however, more opioids were required in patients who did not receive a TAP block to achieve the same pain scores as those who did receive a TAP block. There was a statistically significant shorter time to discharge for TAP versus patients without TAP block(median 5.5 vs 6.3 hours, p ≤ .001) as well as preoperative versus postoperative patients with TAP block (median 5.3 vs 6.2 hours, p = .001).

CONCLUSION

While TAP block use at the time of minimally invasive hysterectomy reduced use of postoperative opioids, the timing of TAP block, either preoperatively or postoperatively, did not significantly affect opioid use. Preoperative compared with postoperative TAP block administration significantly shortened the time to discharge.

Two-stage laparoscopic transversus abdominis plane block as an equivalent alternative to thoracic epidural anaesthesia in bowel resection-an explorative cohort study

PURPOSE

We evaluated the effect of the two-stage laparoscopic transversus abdominis plane block (TS-L-TAPB) in comparison to thoracic epidural anaesthesia (TEA) and a one-stage L-TAPB (OS-L-TAPB) in patients who underwent elective laparoscopic bowel resection.

METHODS

We compared a TS-L-TAPB (266 mg bupivacaine), which was performed bilaterally at the beginning and end of surgery, with two retrospective cohorts. These were patients who had undergone a TEA (ropivacaine/sufentanil) or an OS-L-TAPB (200 mg ropivacaine) at the beginning of surgery. Oral and i.v. opiate requirements were documented over the first 3 postoperative days (POD).

RESULTS

Patients were divided into three groups TEA (n = 23), OS-L-TAPB (n = 75), and TS-L-TAPB (n = 49). By the evening of the third POD, patients with a TEA had a higher cumulative opiate requirement with a median of 45.625 mg [0; 202.5] than patients in the OS-L-TAPB group at 10 mg [0; 245.625] and the TS-L-TAPB group at 5.625 mg [0; 215.625] (p = 0.1438). One hour after arrival in the recovery room, significantly more patients in the TEA group (100%) did not need oral and i.v. opioids than in the TS-L-TAPB (78%) and OS-L-TAPB groups (68%) (p = 0.0067).This was without clinical relevance however as the median in all groups was 0 mg. On the third POD, patients in the TEA group had a significantly higher median oral and i.v. opioid dose at 40 mg [0; 80] than the TS-L-TAPB and OS-L-TAPB groups, both at 0 mg [0; 80] (p = 0.0009).

CONCLUSION

The TS-L-TAP showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefits over TEA and OS-L-TAP in reducing postoperative opiate requirements.

Divided method of intercostal nerve block reduces ropivacaine dose by half in thoracoscopic pulmonary resection while maintaining the postoperative pain score and 4-h mobilization: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

This study investigated whether the divided method of multi-level intercostal nerve block (ML-ICB) could reduce the ropivacaine dose required during thoracoscopic pulmonary resection, while maintaining the resting postoperative pain scores.

METHODS

This retrospective, single-cohort study enrolled 241 patients who underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary resection for malignant tumors between October 2020 and March 2022 at a cancer hospital in Japan. ML-ICB was performed by surgeons under direct vision. The differences in intraoperative anesthetic use and postoperative pain-related variables at the beginning and end of surgery between group A (single-shot ML-ICB; 0.75% ropivacaine, 20 mL at the end of the surgery) and group B (divided ML-ICB, performed at the beginning and end of surgery; 0.25% ropivacaine, 30 mL total) were assessed. The numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to evaluate pain 1 h and 24 h postoperatively.

RESULTS

Intraoperative remifentanil use was significantly lower in group B (14.4 ± 6.4 μg/kg/h) than in group A (16.7 ± 8.4 μg/kg/h) (P = 0.02). The proportion of patients with NRS scores of 0 to 3 at 24 h was significantly higher in group B (85.4%, 106/124) than in group A (73.5%, 86/117) (P = 0.02). The proportion of patients not requiring postoperative intravenous rescue drugs was significantly higher in group B (78.2%, 97/124) than in group A (61.5%, 72/117) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The divided method of ML-ICB could reduce the intraoperative remifentanil dose, decrease the postoperative pain score at 24 h, and curtail postoperative intravenous rescue drug use, despite using half the total ropivacaine dose intraoperatively.

Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion) is a lumbar arthrodesis technique via an anterior approach that is less invasive than the posterior approaches. However, it is associated with specific pain in the abdominal wall.

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to determine whether performing a bilateral ultrasound-guided TAP (Transversus Abdominis Plane) block allows a reduction in morphine consumption in the first 24 hours after surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

This study is a prospective single-centre, randomized, double-blind study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Patients undergoing ALIF surgery were included and randomized into two groups. Both groups received a TAP block performed at the end of surgery with either ropivacaine or placebo.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome measure was morphine consumption in the first 24 hours. The main secondary outcomes were immediate postoperative pain and opioid-related side effects METHODS: Intra- and postoperative anaesthesia and analgesia protocols where standardized. A bilateral ultrasound-guided TAP block was performed with 75 mg (in 15 ml) of ropivacaine per side or isotonic saline serum depending on their assignment group.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients were included in the study (21 per group). Morphine consumption at 24 hours (28 mg [18 - 35] in the ropivacaine group vs 25 mg [19 - 37] in the placebo group (p=0.503)) were not significantly different between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

TAP block with ropivacaine or placebo provided a similar postoperative analgesia when associated with a multimodal analgesia protocol for ALIF.

Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Versus Local Wound Infiltration for Postoperative Pain After Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Resection: a Randomized, Double-Blinded Study

BACKGROUND

Despite the extensive administration of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program, postoperative pain remains a major concern for patients. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and local wound infiltration (LWI) are two techniques that have been widely applied in abdominal surgery. However, these two techniques have rarely been compared in terms of their analgesic effects on patients that undergo laparoscopic colorectal surgery with the ERAS program.

METHODS

A randomized, double-blinded study was conducted in this study. Briefly, 174 patients that underwent colorectal surgery with the ERAS program were randomly allocated to TAP block treatment (TAP group) or local wound infiltration (LWI group). All patients were assessed for their pain scores at rest and in motion at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after surgery. The administration frequency of bolus for PCIA and the use amount of rescue analgesics (parecoxib) were recorded. Finally, the patients were monitored with follow-up surveys on their postoperative function recovery, complications, lengths of stay, treatment cost, and satisfaction.

RESULTS

In terms of the pain scores at rest and in motion, the two groups revealed no significant difference throughout the study sessions, and no difference was found in the administration frequency of bolus and the use amount of parecoxib. Moreover, the two groups demonstrated similar results in their postoperative recovery, and no significant differences were found in terms of postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with local wound infiltration, transversus abdominis plane block is not significantly advantageous for postoperative pain control and recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery with the ERAS program. However, local wound infiltration might be preferred since it is available with less technical difficulties.

Predictors of Difficult Ultrasound-Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks

Background

Fascial plane blocks are a valuable and important aspect of patient care. However, nerve blocks sometimes present with a technical difficulty that can lead to upsetting the operating room schedule, cause discomfort to the patient, or lead to inadequate block. Potential predictors of this difficulty were evaluated.

Methods

In a single-blind study, ultrasound image quality was evaluated on a grading metric, and its correlation with several factors that could potentially impact the difficulty of a procedure, including age, BMI, weight, length of surgery, IV fluids, and pre- vs postoperative block, was assessed.

Results

No correlation was found between any of our anesthetic, patient, or surgical factors, and the resulting image quality.

Conclusion

The study population was limited compared to our initial goals. We found no correlation between studied variables and image quality, but confounding factors that may affect image quality have not been ruled out.

Timing of perioperative transversus abdominis plane block at the time of radical cystectomy does not affect perioperative outcomes

PURPOSE

The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been effective in providing adequate pain control, limiting opioid use, and improving perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing major abdominal surgeries. Little is known regarding the efficacy of preoperative (pre-incisional) versus postoperative TAP block in patients who undergo cystectomy.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study that reviewed all patients who underwent cystectomy between January 2011 and January 2020 at a single institution. Patients were stratified into three cohorts: preoperative TAP block, postoperative TAP block, no TAP block. A multivariable linear regression model was constructed that assessed factors associated with total morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per hospital stay.

RESULTS

In 463 patients, baseline characteristics were similar. There were 66(14.3%) patients who received a perioperative TAP block, 16 (24.2%) of whom received a preoperative TAP block. There were no significant differences in baseline factors. A TAP block was associated with lower MME used per day (41.8 mg vs 53.1 mg, p = 0.009) and per hospital stay (232 mg vs 320.5 mg, p = 0.001). The median MME per hospital stay and per day was lowest in the preoperative TAP cohort (194.0 mg, p = 0.011 and 38.0 mg, p = 0.042, respectively). On multivariable analysis of a subset of patients who received a TAP block, there was no significant difference in MME use in patients who received a preoperative vs postoperative TAP block (- 84.8, p = 0.339).

CONCLUSION

The use of TAP blocks was associated with lower MME use in the entire population; however, there was no difference in MME use when comparing preoperative and postoperative TAP blocks.

Analgesic efficacy of intrathecal morphine and bupivacaine during the early postoperative period in patients who underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy: a prospective randomized controlled study

Background

The present study was performed to investigate the analgesic efficacy of intrathecal morphine and bupivacaine (ITMB) in terms of treating early postoperative pain in adult patients who underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP).

Methods

Fifty patients were prospectively enrolled and randomly classified into the non-ITMB (n = 25) and ITMB (n = 25) groups. The ITMB therapeutic regimen consisted of 0.2 mg morphine and 7.5 mg bupivacaine (total 1.7 mL). All patients were routinely administered the intravenous patient-controlled analgesia and appropriately treated with rescue intravenous (IV) opioid drugs, based on the discretion of the attending physicians who were blinded to the group assignments. Cumulative IV opioid consumption and the numeric rating scale (NRS) score were assessed at 1, 6, and 24 h postoperatively, and opioid-related complications were measured during the day after surgery.

Results

Demographic findings were comparable between patients who did and did not receive ITMB. The intraoperative dose of remifentanil was lower in the ITMB group than in the non-ITMB group. Pain scores (i.e., NRS) at rest and during coughing as well as cumulative IV opioid consumption were significantly lower in patients who received ITMB than in those who did not in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU; i.e., at 1 h after surgery) and the ward (i.e., at 6 and 24 h after surgery). ITMB was significantly associated with postoperative NRS scores of ≤ 3 at rest and during coughing in the PACU (i.e., at 1 h after surgery) before and after adjusting for cumulative IV opioid consumption. In the ward (i.e., at 6 and 24 h after surgery), ITMB was associated with postoperative NRS scores of ≤ 3 at rest and during coughing before adjusting for cumulative IV opioid consumption but not after. No significant differences in complications were observed, such as post-dural puncture headache, respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, or neurologic sequelae, during or after surgery.

Conclusion

A single spinal injection of morphine and bupivacaine provided proper early postoperative analgesia and decreased additional requirements for IV opioids in patients who underwent RALP.

Trial registration: Clinical Research Information Service, Republic of Korea; approval number: KCT0004350 on October 17, 2019. https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/en/search/search_result_st01.jsp?seq=15637

TAPB and RSB protects cardiac diastolic function in elderly patients undergoing abdominopelvic surgery: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Diastolic dysfunction, an early manifestation and clinical symptom of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, can be influenced by various anesthesia management strategies. Trans-esophageal echocardiography was used to undertake to assess left ventricular diastolic function during anesthesia maintenance using sevoflurane alone and sevoflurane combining with transversus abdominis plane block and rectus sheath block in elderly patients with diastolic dysfunction undergoing abdominopelvic surgery.

Methods

Thirty-eight patients were divided into two groups in this retrospective study, sevoflurane and sevoflurane combining with TAPB and RSB according to employing different anesthesia maintenance schemes. The parameters HR, MAP, CVP, E, A, E/A, e, a, e/a, and E/a were obtained immediately after anesthesia induction hemodynamics stability (HR1, MAP1, CVP1, E1, A1, E1/A1, e1, a1, e1/a1, and E1/a1) and 1 hour later (HR2, MAP2, CVP2, E2, A2, E2/A2, e2, a2, e2/a2, and E2/a2).

Results

Transmitral diastolic Doppler flow characteristics illustrated E/A significant decreases in the S group but increases in the ST group (p = 0.02 < 0.05) 1 hour after anesthesia induction hemodynamic stability. Tissue Doppler imaging characteristics showed a more significant increase e/a (P = 0.005 < 0.05) and decreases in a value (p = 0.009 < 0.05) in the ST group 1 hour after anesthesia induction hemodynamics stability.

Conclusions

Maintaining anesthesia with sevoflurane combining with TAPB and RSB was more suitable for protecting cardiac diastolic function than sevoflurane alone in elderly patients with diastolic dysfunction undergoing open abdominal and pelvic surgery.