Transversus Abdominis Plane Block and Postoperative Pain After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Effect of Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block on Early Postoperative Pain in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Randomized, Controlled Trial

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has gained popularity for the control of postoperative pain in various surgeries. Three studies showed inconsistent result on pain control after TAP block in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The TAP technique used in these studies was classic ultrasound guided TAP block. Besides periumbilical incision, sub-xiphoid incision is usually made during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. As typical posterior TAP rarely extend above T8, the investigators undergo subcostal TAP block for this type of surgery. The investigators are going to investigate the effect of subcostal TAP on early postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ASA I-II
• Age 20-65 patients scheduled elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient refusal
• Allergy to ropivacaine
• Coagulopathy
• Morbid obesity (BMI>35 kg/m2)
• Previous abdominal surgery.