• Zachary Clary, Niaman Nazir, and James Butterworth.
• From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive, University of Kansas.
• Ann Plast Surg. 2020 Dec 1; 85 (6): e24-e26.

PurposeAutologous breast reconstruction with abdominally based free flaps has traditionally been associated with a longer hospital stay and higher initial cost relative to other reconstructive methods. One important component of this course is postoperative pain control. Thoracic epidural anesthesia is considered among the most effective methods for pain control in the immediate postoperative period following these procedures. Recently, our institution began using 4 quadrant transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks with liposomal bupivacaine. Encouraging trends were observed with utilization of TAP blocks; however, we sought to quantify this effect compared with that of thoracic epidural anesthesia. This study would contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting an enhanced recovery pathway for microvascular breast reconstruction.MethodThirty patients who underwent deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap-based breast reconstruction from January 2016 to April 2017 were evaluated. Fifteen patients received thoracic epidural anesthesia, and 15 received 4 quadrant TAP blocks with liposomal bupivacaine. Opioid consumption was evaluated and compared for the first 3 days postoperatively. All opioids were converted to oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) for standardization. Day of discharge, day of Foley removal, and several traditionally opioid-related adverse effects were also recorded and compared.ResultOn postoperative days 0, 1, 2, and 3, opioid consumption among those given epidural anesthesia compared with those who received TAP blocks with liposomal bupivacaine was 34.9 versus 32.6 OMEs (P = 0.81), 98.9 versus 92.4 OMEs (P = 0.78), 59.7 versus 56.0 OMEs (P = 0.79), and 59.6 versus 24.5 OMEs (P = 0.005*), respectively. Total opioid consumption for the epidural group was 253.1 versus 205.4 OMEs for the TAP block group (P = 0.2743). Time until removal of Foley was 2.7 days for patients with an epidural and 2.1 days for those receiving TAP blocks (P = 0.0056*). Length of stay for those receiving epidural was 4.33 days compared with 3.53 days for those receiving TAP blocks (P = 0.0002*).ConclusionWhen using TAP blocks with liposomal bupivacaine, a statistically significant effect on postoperative day 3 and decreased opioid utilization overall were observed. Patients also had their Foley removed sooner and were discharged from the hospital earlier.

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