TAP Block for Postoperative Pain Control

Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block Study for Postoperative Pain Control

This clinical trial will examine differences in the effectiveness between three (3) commonly used methods and/or medications used to perform a transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block for post-operative pain control. The transversus abdominis muscle is either side between the lowest rib and the hip bone. Group A subjects will undergo post-operative pain relief treatment with a single injection of Bupivacaine injected into the TAP. Group B subjects will undergo post-operative pain relief treatment with a single injection of Exparel®, a liposomal form of bupivacaine into the TAP. Group C subjects will be treated with a continuous infusion of the local anesthetic ropivacaine with the ON-Q® pump. There will be no placebo group in this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ability to give written informed consent
• Scheduled for open abdominal surgery
• American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 to 3

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to understand the study or provide written informed consent
• Inability to follow protocol instructions
• Complicated history of chronic opioid use including daily use of opioids for a period greater than 2 weeks prior to surgery
• Allergy to local anesthetic agents
• Contraindication to regional nerve block such as:
• Bleeding disorder
• Sepsis
• Infection at site of block
• Body Mass Index (BMI) >40
• Pregnancy