Efficacy of Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block Techniques: Surgeon vs Anesthesia - Ultrasound Guidance

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Post Operative Analgesia, Non-inferiority Trial

In brief

The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthesia technique where local anesthetic is injected into the neurovascular plane between the transversus abdominis and internal oblique muscles. The TAP block has been shown to provide postoperative analgesia following abdominal surgery.There are many methods to administer local anesthetic into the transversus abdominus plane to provide post-operative analgesia. The more prevalent method is for an anesthesia provider to inject local anesthetic into the plane using ultrasound guidance, before surgery or after the conclusion of surgery. Alternatively, a surgeon can administer the local anesthetic during the operation without additional time or expense using direct laparoscopic visualization. We propose to compare the two methods for non-inferiority, in the context of an established enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program. Non-inferiority being established by no demonstrable difference in post-operative narcotic requirements and equivalent average pain scores.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03577912

Run by

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

People needed

60

Starts

2015-08-17

Expected to finish

2018-07-31

Last updated by the study team

2018-09-17

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• all consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection in the division of colorectal surgery from March 2016 and April 2018 were eligible.
• Over 18 years old
• Intellect sufficient to sign consent, interpret analog pain scale

You may not qualify if…

• allergies to bupivacaine or epinephrine
• preoperative chronic narcotic usage
• chronic pain syndrome
• anatomy thought to preclude effective placement of the TAP.

Where it is running

• Beth Israel Medical Center — Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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