Unilateral Ultrasound-Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block After Nephrectomy; Postoperative Pain and Use of Opioids

Effects of Transverse Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block on the MACBAR of Sevoflurane in Gynecologic Patients with Laparoscopic Pneumoperitoneal Stimulation: An Up-Down Sequential Allocation Study

Purpose

This study aimed to observe the effect of bilateral transverse abdominis plane (TAP) block on the MACBAR of sevoflurane in gynecological patients with laparoscopic pneumoperitoneal stimulation.

Patients and Methods

Fifty patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery were randomly assigned to either the control group (n= 25) or the TAP block group (n= 25). Patients in the TAP block group were subjected to a bilateral transversal abdominal muscle plane block with 0.33% ropivacaine (20 mL on each side) guided by ultrasound. The control group received an equal volume of normal saline. The MACBAR of sevoflurane in each group was determined using a sequential allocation technique.

Results

The MACBAR of sevoflurane in the TAP block group was significantly lower than that in the control group (4.20% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 4.02%-4.38%] vs 5.03% [95% CI, 4.89%-5.18%]).

Conclusion

Bilateral TAP block can reduce the MACBAR of sevoflurane in gynecological patients with pneumoperitoneum stimulation.

Trial Registration Number

ChiCTR2100046517. The trial is publicly available and registered at www.chictr.org.cn on May 18, 2021.

Analgesic Effect of Ultrasound-Guided Preoperative Unilateral Lateral Quadratus Lumborum Block for Laparoscopic Nephrectomy: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Controlled Trial

Purpose

The quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is a relatively new regional analgesic technique that could provide analgesia to the abdominal wall and reduce postoperative opioid consumption. We investigated the opioid-sparing effect of a unilateral lateral QLB in laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Patients and Methods

A total of 60 patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups as QLB and control group. QLB group received QLB with 25mL 0.25% ropivacaine, and the control group received 25mL 0.9% saline at anterolateral border of quadratus lumborum muscle preoperatively. Opioid consumption and the pain intensity at rest and on movement were measured at 2nd, 6th, 24th, and 48th hour postoperatively. We also assessed the time to first flatus to measure the extent of paralytic ileus and the quality of recovery-15 (QoR-15) questionnaire.

Results

Postoperative opioid consumption was significantly lower in the QLB group than in the control group at 6, 24, and 48h after surgery (P < 0.05). The pain intensity at rest and on movement was significantly lower in the QLB group than in the control group during the first 24 hours after surgery (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, time to first flatus, and QoR-15 score did not show significant differences.

Conclusion

Preoperative unilateral QLB successfully decreased postoperative pain and opioid consumption after laparoscopic nephrectomy and could be an option for analgesia after laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Hyperamylasemia Post Living Donor Nephrectomy Does Not Relate to Pain

Introduction The aetiology of pain after laparoscopic donor nephrectomy remains unclear. Given the proximity of the left kidney to the tail of the pancreas, we aimed to assess whether mobilisation and retrieval of the left kidney might inflame the pancreas, leading to pain and hyperamylasaemia in the post-operative period. Patient and methods In the present study, 16 consecutive live kidney donors were analysed in the same three months period. Amylase levels were measured on days 1 and 2. For each 24-hour period post-operatively analgesia consumption was recorded, as well as pain scores at rest on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results Three out of 16 donors presented hyperamylasemia. A multiple regression analysis found levobupivacaine dose, propofol dose, transversus abdominis plane block and day 1 amylase did not significantly predict pain scores. Interestingly, body mass index significantly correlated with increased pain scores (p = 0.041). Also, increasing CO2 insufflation pressure and use of local anaesthetic infusion catheters predicted a decreased deep pain score (p = 0.036 and p = 0.037). Conclusion There was no correlation of amylase levels and pain scores. Pancreatitis is a rare complication of nephrectomy and no overt cases were seen in the case of donor nephrectomy.

Application of TAP Block in Laparoscopic Urological Surgery: Current Status and Future Directions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Amid the opioid crisis, postoperative pain management is a major challenge for practitioners. Recent pain management guidelines emphasize the importance of using regional anesthesia as part of opioid-sparing multimodal analgesia. This report aims to review recent evidence regarding the utilization of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in minimally invasive urologic surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

TAP block has been shown to improve early and late pain at rest, and to reduce opioid consumption after minimally invasive surgery. These benefits have indirectly reduced the incidence of postoperative delirium, pneumonia, urinary retention, and falls. Compared to epidural analgesia, TAP block provides similar pain control, has a lower incidence of hypotension, and is associated with a shorter length of stay. Few studies focus specifically on the outcomes of TAP block in minimally invasive urologic surgery. TAP block decreases postoperative pain and reduces opioid consumption without increasing complications. TAP block should be integrated as an indispensable component in enhanced recovery after surgery protocols.

[Why and how to perform an ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block: A step-by-step approach]

Used in clinical practice as part of a multimodal analgesic regimen, the transversus abdominis plane block (TAP block) is a relative novel procedure in which local anaesthetic agents are injected into the anatomic neurofascial space between the internal oblique and the transversus abdominis muscle. It allows a significantly prolonged duration of analgesia during the early postoperative stage in abdominal surgery. This regional anesthesia technique provides analgesia to the skin, muscles of the anterior abdominal wall and parietal peritoneum in order to decrease the incision-related pain. Thus, it reduces postoperative opiate requirements and opioids-related side effects (nausea, vomiting, delayed resumption of intestinal transit, drowsiness, respiratory depression, urine retention). Additionally, the TAP block appears particularly interesting when neuraxial techniques or opioids are contraindicated. Moreover, the ultrasound-guided procedure provides a significant success rate of this block and additionally avoids major complications. We describe our technique of ultrasound-guided TAP block and discuss its indications, contraindication and potential complications.