ABSTRACT

In our study we evaluated the postoperative analgesic consumption and analgesic efficacy of ultrasound guided transversus abdominis plane (USG-TAP) block in patients undergoing caesarean section (CS). Seventy ASA I-II patients undergoing CS following spinal anaesthesia were included in our study. The patients were divided into two groups randomly: Group T (TAP Block group) (n:35) and Group C (Control group) (n:35). At the end of the surgery. Group T patients received USG-TAP block using 20 ml of 0.25% levobubivacaine. All participants received standart analgesic regime of tramadol via intravenous patient controlled analgesia (IV-PCA). Patients were assessed at 1, 4, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h after TAP block for hemodynamic parameters, verbal numerical rating pain scores (VNRS) (pain at rest and coughing), total amount of IV-PCA tramadol demand and consumption, time to first rescue analgesia, total amount of rescue analgesic demands, sedation, nausea, vomitting and satisfaction by a blinded investigator. The VRNS scores both at rest and coughing were found significantly lower in TAP block group with levobupivacaine compared to control group at all check points. Total amount of IV-PCA tramadol demand and consumption, number of rescue analgesic demands and consumption were significantly lower in TAP block group. Time to first rescue analgesia was longer in TAP group. Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in TAP group. In our study USG-TAP block provided effective postoperative analgesia and we consider this technique as a safe and effective method for postoperative pain control after caesarean delivery.