Intraoperative Direct Vision of Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block versus Ultrasound Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block for Pain Control after Caesarean Section (CS). A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background Adequate postoperative analgesia following CS hastens post-operative mobilization, decreases maternal morbidity and facilitates bonding with the newborn. Aim of the Work to assess pain scores at (rest and movement), and need for opioids in women receiving intraoperative direct vision of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) Block versus women receiving ultrasound guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) Block following cesarean section in first 24H. Study Design Randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on Patients undergoing lower segment Cesarean section under spinal anesthesia with intra thecal hyper baric bupivacaine 0.5%. Patients were randomized to study group that received intraoperative direct vision transversus abdominis plane (TAP) Block and control group received ultrasound guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) Block. Postoperative pain score was recorded using visual analog scale (VAS) score and analgesic consumption recorded from patient medication chart. Result A total of 220 eligible women planned to undergo elective lower segment caesarean section were recruited in the current trial, and were randomly allocated into one of the two groups, there were no significant differences between women of both groups regarding age, parity or BMI. No significant differences between the studied group regarding patient pain perception (VAS Score) during rest and movement at different times of follow up (6,8,12,24 H) postoperatively. The dose and the first time of analgesic requirement was non-significantly different among studied groups. Conclusion USG and surgical TAP blocks were safe and had similar efficacy in providing postoperative analgesia in pregnant women following cesarean section under spinal analgesia. Surgical TAP block is an efficacious, safe and rapid technique, particularly in patients in whom USG TAP block is technically challenging (obese women), and where the ultrasound isn’t available in operative theater.