Skip to content

Continuous Transversus Abdominis Plane Nerve Block for Postoperative Analgesia

Continuous Transversus Abdominis Plane Nerve Block for Postoperative Analgesia: A Randomized, Triple-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Study

Status
Terminated
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00944151
Enrollment
20
Registered
2009-07-23
Start date
2009-07-31
Completion date
2010-09-30
Last updated
2014-05-20

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

Conditions

Incisional Pain

Keywords

pain, UCSD, catheter, nerve block, hernia, post-surgery pain, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, Transversus abdominal plane, Hernia Repair, Transversus Abdominal Plane Block

Brief summary

Research study to determine if putting local anesthetic through one or two tiny tubes next to the nerves that go to the area the patients are having surgery on (abdomen or pelvis), will improve pain control following surgery. This study will also help determine if patients require fewer pain pills, experience fewer sleep disturbances, and are more satisfied with their postoperative pain control.

Detailed description

Specific Aim: To determine if adding a continuous Transversus Abdominis Plane nerve block to a single-injection nerve block results in improved postoperative pain control. Hypothesis 1: Adding a continuous Transversus Abdominis Plane nerve block to a single-injection nerve block results in lower average pain scores during movement the day following surgery. Specific Aim2: To determine if adding a continuous Transversus Abdominis Plane nerve block to a single-injection nerve block results in decreased average pain scores, opioid use, sleep disturbances, and improved patient satisfaction. Hypothesis 2: Adding a continuous Transversus Abdominis Plane nerve block to a single-injection nerve block results in decreased average pain scores, oral opioid consumption, sleep disturbances, and improved patient satisfaction the day following surgery.

Interventions

PROCEDURETAP Catheter and Infusion of Study Solution

Subject will be randomized to one of two groups: Saline infused TAP catheter following surgery for 0-2 days or ropivacaine infused TAP catheter following surgery for 0-2 days. All patients will be given a single injection of ropivacaine prior to surgery. Research staff will follow all patients for two days following surgery or while they have TAP catheter in.

Sponsors

University of California, San Diego
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* undergoing ambulatory inguinal and/or abdominal surgery amenable to a Transversus Abdominis Plane nerve block (unilateral or bilateral). * expected postoperative pain to be at least moderate in severity the day following surgery * age 18 years or older * desires a regional anesthetic for postoperative analgesia * is able to understand the possible perineural infusion-related complications, study protocol, and catheter/pump care * has a caretaker through the first night after surgery * has an ASA Physical Status Classification of 1-3

Exclusion criteria

* any contraindication for a continuous Transversus Abdominis Plane nerve block * any physical, mental or medical conditions which, in the opinion of the investigators, may confound quantifying postoperative pain resulting from surgery. * current chronic opioid or tramadol use * history of alcohol or opioid abuse * know allergy or other contraindication to the study medication * pregnancy * known hepatic or renal insufficiency/disease * peripheral neuropathy of the surgical site * morbid obesity * inability to communicate with the investigators and hospital staff * incarceration

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
The primary outcome measurement will be the average pain with movement on postoperative day 1 as measured by 0-10 scale, where 0=no pain and 10=worst imaginable pain.1 day

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Pain with movement on second day following surgery, as measured by 0-10 scale (where 0=no pain and 10=worst imaginable pain).2 days
Total opioid consumption per day following surgery as measured by the number of opioid pills consumed per day.Day 1 and 2 following surgery
Sleep disturbances, measured on days 1 and 2 following surgery, as asked by research staff during follow-up phone calls.Days 1 and 2 following surgery
Patient satisfaction of pain control as measured on a 0-10 scale where 0=very unsatisfied and 10=very satisfied with pain controlDay 2 following surgery

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

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