Langenbeck's archives of surgery
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Langenbecks Arch Surg · Mar 2021
Meta AnalysisTransversus abdominis plane block versus thoracic epidural analgesia in colorectal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The efficacy of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block compared with thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) in abdominal surgery has been controversial. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess outcomes of TAP block and TEA in a procedure-specific manner in colorectal surgery. ⋯ Perhaps more germane to minimally invasive procedures, TAP block is equivalent to TEA in terms of postoperative pain control and provides better functional recovery with lower incidence of adverse events in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.