A prospective single blinded randomized study to assess post operative analgesia using ultrasound guided transverse abdominis plane block for laparoscopic appendectomy

Introduction: Pain is one of the most important factors that is responsible for many adverse outcomes during surgery and in postoperative period. Effective pain control can also facilitate rehabilitation and accelerate recovery from surgery. Aim: To compare ultrasound-guided TAP block versus patients receiving no Transverse abdominis plane (TAP) block as regards the degree of pain relief in patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy. Materials and methods: Prospective single blinded randomized control study. Patients were randomly allocated (computer coded sealed envelopes) to receive either TAP block or no TAP block with regular analgesia. Patient will be observed for 24 hours post operatively. 60 patients divided equally into 2 groups cases were TAP (transverse abdominis plane block) group (n =30), Control group (n= 30). Results: The age between the two groups was analysed using student-t-test , the average age group in control group was found to be 32.64 years and TAP group 29.4 years. There was no significant difference in age between the two groups. The percentage of Males in TAP group was more when compare with Control, whereas in Control group the females were more but the difference was not statistically differ. Pain score between two groups was analysed using Maan-Whintney U test. The p-values of the Mann-Whitney U-test for the 2nd, 6th and 12th hours showed significant (p value – 0.000), which revealed that the mean rank for the pain scores of Control group was significant greater than the TAP group. Whereas for the 24th hour the mean rank for the pain score for both the groups were almost similar. Conclusions: Ultrasound guided TAP block with 0.375% ropivacaine bilaterally can be used effectively for post operative analgesia for patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy.