Analgesic Efficacy of Local Anesthetic Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Blocks in Abdominal Surgery

Efficacy of Local Anesthetic TAP Blocks in Providing Pain Relief Following Laparoscopic and Open Abdominal Surgery

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 1

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00682136

Enrollment

206

Registered

2008-05-22

Start date

2008-04-30

Completion date

2009-12-31

Last updated

2010-06-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pain

Keywords

postoperative analgesia, abdominal surgery, ropivacaine, local anaesthesia, tap block, pain management

Brief summary

The aim of the study is to establish the efficacy of local anaesthetic TAP (transversus abdominis plane) blocks in providing pain relief in the first 24hrs following open or laparoscopic elective abdominal colorectal operations. TAP blocks involve the injection of local aesthetic (ropivicaine) into the transversus abdominis plane in the abdominal wall. This injection takes place after induction of anaesthesia, but before the commencement of surgery. TAP blocks have been proposed as a potential safer alternative to epidural anaesthesia. The blocks have been extensively used in the Hunter New England system over the last 18 months. As yet there is no clear evidence for there efficacy, hence the need for this trial. This trial would establish the efficacy of this practice. If the technique proves effective it could be widely used and provide a simpler method of managing post operative pain.

Interventions

PROCEDUREUS-Guided Ropivacaine TAP Block

Bilateral injection of local anaesthetic into the Transversus Abdominis plane, guided by ultrasound.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* All patients aged 18 and over undergoing elective open or laparoscopic colorectal surgery performed by the participating surgeons within the study period will be considered for the trial.

Exclusion criteria

* History of adverse reaction to Ropivicaine or similar drug. * Inability or refusal to give consent * Coagulopathic * Severe renal impairment * Aged \<18 years

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
mg/kg of morphine equivalent used by patients post operatively.	From operation until discharge.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Lung Function (spirometry), including FVC, FEV1 and PEFR	24, 48 and 72 hours postoperatively
Visual Analogue Scale for pain at rest, deep breathing and coughing.	24, 48 and 72 hours postoperatively

Countries

Australia

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026