Impact of transversus abdominis plane block on early postoperative pain following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a randomized controlled trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20260451Keywords:
Transversus abdominis plane block, Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, Postoperative pain, Regional anesthesia, Randomized controlled trialAbstract
Background: Effective analgesia after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is essential to facilitate early recovery. The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been proposed to reduce postoperative pain, but evidence remains variable.
Methods: Authors conducted a randomized controlled trial including 71 patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Participants were randomly allocated to receive a TAP block (n=36) or no TAP block (n=35). Baseline variables included age, sex, weight, height, body mass index, and comorbidities. Postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours. Groups were compared using appropriate inferential tests according to data distribution; categorical variables were compared using chi-square/Fisher’s exact test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups (all p>0.05), including sex distribution (female: 75.0% vs 74.3%; p=1.00) and presence of comorbidities (50.0% vs 45.7%; p=0.90). Postoperative VAS scores were similar at all time points: 2 hours (median 6 (IQR 5–8) vs 6 (5–8); p=0.83), 4 hours (5 (4–6) vs 5 (3–7); p=0.97), 6 hours (4 (3–5) vs 4 (2–5.5); p=0.96), 12 hours (2 (0.75–3) vs 3 (1.5–4.5); p=0.16), and 24 hours (2 (0–2) vs 2 (0–3); p=0.50).
Conclusions: In this randomized trial, TAP block did not significantly reduce early postoperative pain within the first 24 hours after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy compared with no TAP block.
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References
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