Revista española de anestesiología y reanimación
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Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim · Mar 2015
Case ReportsPostoperative analgesia with transversus abdominis plane catheter infusions of levobupivacaine after major gynecological and obstetrical surgery. A case series.
Transversus abdominis plane block has become an important method of postoperative pain management for patients undergoing abdominal surgery but the modest duration is a major limitation. We report the successful use of a novel TAP catheter technique for continuous infusion of levobupivacaine in six gynecologic and obstetric patients. Bilateral TAP catheters were inserted at the end of surgery by ultrasound imaging using a Contiplex® C needle (B. ⋯ Successful analgesia was achieved in all six cases utilizing continuous infusion of levobupivacaine, minimizing the volume required. TAP infusions produce significant opioid sparing and better patient mobility. This technique may be a reliable alternative to neuraxial analgesia in major gynecological and obstetrical surgery.