Overview of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for postoperative Analgesia in Elective cesarean section

Abstract

Cesarean section can cause moderate to severe postoperative pain in large percentage of women. Adequate pain relief is vital to improve the mother’s ability to care for her infant in the intermediate postpartum period. In the cesarean delivery population, peripheral nerve blocks play a role in cesarean delivery analgesia. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is the most studied trunkal nerve block. It provides analgesia by blocking nerves originated from the anterior rami of thoraco-lumbar spinal nerves (T6–L1) as they traverse the transversus abdominis plane. The surface anatomy landmark technique has been superseded by ultrasound-guided. It’s used as an adjunct for postoperative pain control in abdominal, gynecologic or urologic surgery involving the T6 to L1 distribution.

TAP block after caesarean section is associated with longer time for demand of first analgesia, reduction in total morphine use and VAS scores. Using of ultrasound guidance has increased the accuracy and efficacy of the technique.