Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre
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The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and local anaesthetic infiltration (LAI) of port sites provide adequate analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Little is known if the two techniques affect the day-case (DC) rate of LC. We tested the appropriateness of the research design in view of a larger randomised controlled trial (RCT) - laparoscopic-assisted right subcostal TAP block plus local anaesthetic wound infiltration (STALA) versus LAI. ⋯ The laparoscopically guided right subcostal TAP block provided no additional benefit to LAI on pain control after LC and DC rate. Despite the appropriate design, our findings do not support a larger RCT.