TAP Block Using Liposomal Bupivacaine for Post-cesarean Delivery Analgesia- Walking Towards Recovery

Summary

The TAP block offers analgesia by blocking the sensory nerves of the anterior abdominal wall. The procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance, after identification of the external oblique, internal oblique and transverse abdominis muscle. Medication is injected in the neurofascial plane between the internal oblique and the tranversus abdominis muscle. Previous studies have demonstrated limited (\<24 hour) effect of the block when compared to the use of intrathecal morphine (considered to be the "gold standard" for postoperative analgesia). In a study by McMarrow et al., post-caesarian pain control combinations including TAP blocks with local anesthetic (Bupivacaine) or saline after a spinal anesthetic with or without intrathecal morphine were compared. At 6 hours the Morphine consumption was slightly reduced in the patients that received both intrathecal morphine and TAP blocks with LA when compared to patients that received spinal saline and TAP with saline. At 24 hours the TAP block conferred no benefit in terms of opioid consumption. Similarly, the study by Lee et al. demonstrated better pain scores for the first 2 hours in patients receiving both intrathecal morphine and a TAP block with ropivacaine. At 24 hours there was no difference in the pain scores for patients that received both intrathecal morphine and TAP blocks. On the contrary, a more recent study utilizing liposomal bupivacaine has been utilized for TAP blocks for post cesarean delivery analgesia, demonstrating opioid reductions for up to 72 hours. Liposomal bupivacaine is a novel, multivesicular formulation designed for rapid absorption, prolonged release of bupivacaine, and analgesia following a single intra-operative administration into the surgical wound or for TAP blocks. Current anesthesia practices encourage the use of multimodal analgesia that aim at enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). The ERAS model aims to decrease immobility, pain and post-operative ileus. Pain and immobility may be closely related, and the latter has rarely been monitored in the post-operative setting. It is planned to use a research validated fit-bit like device (Actigraph GT3-X) to monitor patient steps (mobility).

Timeline

Start

2022-02-01

Primary completion

2023-11-28

Completion

2023-11-28

Publications

• Background Lee AJ, Palte HD, Chehade JM, Arheart KL, Ranasinghe JS, Penning DH. Ultrasound-guided bilateral transversus abdominis plane blocks in conjunction with intrathecal morphine for postcesarean analgesia. J Clin Anesth. 2013 Sep;25(6):475-82. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2013.05.004. Epub 2013 Sep 3.
• Background McMorrow RC, Ni Mhuircheartaigh RJ, Ahmed KA, Aslani A, Ng SC, Conrick-Martin I, Dowling JJ, Gaffney A, Loughrey JP, McCaul CL. Comparison of transversus abdominis plane block vs spinal morphine for pain relief after Caesarean section. Br J Anaesth. 2011 May;106(5):706-12. doi: 10.1093/bja/aer061.
• Background Baker BW, Villadiego LG, Lake YN, Amin Y, Timmins AE, Swaim LS, Ashton DW. Transversus abdominis plane block with liposomal bupivacaine for pain control after cesarean delivery: a retrospective chart review. J Pain Res. 2018 Dec 10;11:3109-3116. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S184279. eCollection 2018.
• Background Jacques V, Vial F, Lerintiu M, Thilly N, Mc Nelis U, Raft J, Bouaziz H. [Enhanced recovery following uncomplicated elective caesarean section in France: a survey of national practice]. Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 2013 Mar;32(3):142-8. doi: 10.1016/j.annfar.2013.01.016. Epub 2013 Feb 19. French.
• Background Alharbi M, Bauman A, Neubeck L, Gallagher R. Validation of Fitbit-Flex as a measure of free-living physical activity in a community-based phase III cardiac rehabilitation population. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2016 Sep;23(14):1476-85. doi: 10.1177/2047487316634883. Epub 2016 Feb 23.

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