Effective Use of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia after Open Appendectomies in Children

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the use of transversus abdominis plane block for effective postoperative analgesia in children after open appendectomies.

Study Design: Single blind randomized control trial study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Anesthesia and Pediatric Surgery Mohi-ud-Din Teaching Hospital Mirpur AJK from May 2018 to June 2019.

Materials and Methods: Forty children of both sexes, aged 6-14 years undergoing open appendectomy by the McBurney method were enrolled in the study. These children were divided into two groups; Group A received ultrasound guided transversus abdominis plane block with bupivacaine0.25%, 0.25 mL/kg (maximum 20 mL) and Group B (control group) were operated by same method without transversus abdominis plane block.

Results: There was significant decrease in pain intensity in TAP block group as compared to control group (at 6hrs &8hrs 6±2 vs. 3.9±2.3 & 5.28±0.60 vs. 2.36±0.83 respectively with p value <0.001). Apart from the comfort of the children and parenteral satisfaction, hospital stay was reduced in group receiving TAP block (3 vs. 4 days, P = 0.045).

Conclusion: The transverses abdominis plane block should be used as part of multimodal analgesia in pediatric surgical patients, which is minimally invasive procedure with promising result that may improve the quality of life along with enhanced recovery.