Effectiveness of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Non-perforated Acute Appendicitis

Özet

Introduction: One of the most important goals in abdominal surgery is to reduce as much as possible the postoperative pain and increasing patients comfort. We aimed to assess the analgesic efficacy of the transversus abdominis plane block (TAP) in patients with non-perforated acute appendicitis undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy (LA).Materials and Methods: Seventy patients who underwent LA were divided retrospectively into two groups; the LA group (control group: n=39) and the LA group with TAP-block (treatment group; n=31). The present study was planned retrospectively but the data was collected prospectively. Groups were compared regarding age, gender, perioperative symptoms and signs, such as physical operation time, postoperative pain score (visual analogue scale = VAS), hospitalization period stay time, postoperative complications, and return to normal daily activity.Results: The mean VAS score in LA+TAP-block group was 3.1±2.1; 3.3±2.1; 3.9±2.3; 4.2±2.6 and 4.3±3 on the 0th; 2th; 6th; 16th and 24th hours and 4±1.5; 4.7±2.2; 6±2; 6.2±2 and 5.9±2 on the 0th; 2th; 6th; 16th and 24th hours in only LA group, respectively. Postoperative abdominal pain was significantly less in LA+TAP-block group than the LA group at 2th (p=0.01), 6th (p<0.01), 16th (p<0.001) and 24th (p=0.01) hours. Although, statistically not significant, TAP block was associated with more quickly to return to normal daily activities.Conclusion: USG-guided TAP block can improve significantly postoperative abdominal pain during the first 24 hours in laparoscopic appendectomy performed patients.