Publication:

Impact of transversus abdominis plane block on early postoperative pain following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a randomized controlled trial

Background Effective analgesia after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is essential to facilitate early recovery. The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been proposed to reduce postoperative pain, but evidence remains variable.

Methods Authors conducted a randomized controlled trial including 71 patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Participants were randomly allocated to receive a TAP block (n=36) or no TAP block (n=35). Baseline variables included age, sex, weight, height, body mass index, and comorbidities. Postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours. Groups were compared using appropriate inferential tests according to data distribution; categorical variables were compared using chi-square/Fisher’s exact test. Statistical significance was set at p 0.05), including sex distribution (female: 75.0% vs 74.3%; p=1.00) and presence of comorbidities (50.0% vs 45.7%; p=0.90). Postoperative VAS scores were similar at all time points: 2 hours (median 6 (IQR 5–8) vs 6 (5–8); p=0.83), 4 hours (5 (4–6) vs 5 (3–7); p=0.97), 6 hours (4 (3–5) vs 4 (2–5.5); p=0.96), 12 hours (2 (0.75–3) vs 3 (1.5–4.5); p=0.16), and 24 hours (2 (0–2) vs 2 (0–3); p=0.50).

Conclusions In this randomized trial, TAP block did not significantly reduce early postoperative pain within the first 24 hours after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy compared with no TAP block.