The Effect of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Özet

Objective: Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia using transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a newer and safer method that can beused in patients undergoing liver transplant surgeries. This systematic review and meta-analysis was done to quantify the analgesic potential andopioid-sparing capability of TAP block in these patients.Methods: The studies comparing TAP‑block to conventional analgesic regimens for liver transplant were searched. The studies evaluatingthe comparative 24-h morphine consumption during postoperative period in patients undergoing liver transplant surgeries were searched andincluded as the primary outcome in the analysis.Results: We found two randomised controlled trials and two retrospective studies that on meta-analysis showed that TAP block group had significantly lower requirement of morphine (WMD=27.59 mg; 95% CI: 33.47–21.70) at 24 h for pain mitigation. Also, postoperative nausea andvomiting was lower (RR=0.76; 95% CI: 0.47–1.22) but not statistically significant.Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided TAP block provides postoperative analgesic efficacy in patients undergoing liver transplant surgeries. Thisstudy was registered in International prospective register of systematic reviews [PROSPERO: CRD42018094595].