• Anna Kupiec, Jacek Zwierzchowski, Joanna Kowal-Janicka, Waldemar Goździk, Tomasz Fuchs, Michał Pomorski, Mariusz Zimmer, and Andrzej Kübler.
• Katedra i Klinika Anestezjologii i Intensywnej Terapii, ul. Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland. annakupiec11@gmail.com.
• Ginekol Pol. 2018 Jan 1; 89 (8): 421-424.

ObjectivesThe ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a supporting method of pain relief after different types of surgical and gynecological procedures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the analgesic effects of the TAP-block in patients undergoing caesarean section.Material And Methods88 women undergoing elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia were prospectively randomized into two groups. In the first group, an ultrasound-guided bilateral TAP block was performed using 40 mL 0.25% bupivacaine, while the second group was treated without a regional nerve block. Both groups received a standard analgesia protocol with intravenous paracetamol administered every 6 hours and intravenous tramadol on-demand, delivered using the Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) method. Pain intensity was assessed according to the visual analogue scale (VAS) directly after the TAP block and at 3, 6 and 12 hours postoperatively. Any patient complaints and side-effects during the postoperative period were recorded.ResultsThe TAP block resulted in a significant reduction of pain intensity using the visual analogue scale after 3, 6 and 12 hours (p < 0.05) and a significant decrease in tramadol administration (p < 0.05) during the first 12 hours postoperatively. No significant differences in the heart rate and blood pressure were noted between groups (p > 0.05). There were no complications related to the TAP block.ConclusionsThe TAP block is a safe and effective adjunctive method of pain relief after caesarean delivery.

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