Unilateral transversus abdominis plane block and port-site infiltration : Comparison of postoperative analgesic efficacy in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

PURPOSE

To compare the analgesic efficacy of unilateral subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with local anesthetic infiltration, applied to the port site in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

METHODS

Group T received a unilateral subcostal TAP block, group I received a local anesthetic infiltration at port sites, and group C was the control group. Groups T and I received 20 mL 0.25% bupivacaine. Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with tramadol was similarly applied to all groups. Postoperative pain levels during rest and cough were evaluated using a numeric rating scale (NRS). Nausea and vomiting were evaluated using postoperative nausea vomiting scores (PONV) at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h and tramadol consumption was also determined. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using a Likert-type scale.

RESULTS

Postoperative resting NRS scores were lower in group T than the other groups at 1 h and 12 h (p = 0.007 and p = 0.016), while NRS values during cough were statistically significant at 1 h (p = 0.004). The 24‑h tramadol consumption was different: group T 229 ± 33 mg, group I 335 ± 95 mg, and group C 358 ± 66 mg (p < 0.001). The percentages of patients reporting that they would prefer the applied postoperative pain control method again were 83.3%, 62.5% and 70.8% in groups T, I and C, respectively (p = 0.118).

CONCLUSION

Unilateral subcostal TAP block was superior to local anesthetic infiltration at port sites after LC, in terms of low opioid consumption. Unilateral subcostal TAP block is recommended as part of a multimodal analgesic protocol.