The Use of Liposomal Bupivacaine in TAP Blocks for Women Undergoing Cesarean Section

The Use of Liposomal Bupivacaine in TAP Blocks for Women Undergoing Cesarean Section

This present investigation aims to determine whether a transversus abdominous plane(TAP) block, utilizing liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel), at the conclusion of a cesarean section decreases post-operative pain. The hypothesis is that performance of the TAP block with liposomal bupivacaine will decrease post-operative narcotic use.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients >18 years of age
• Scheduled cesarean section with or without bilateral tubal ligation
• Planned performance of a Pfannenstiel incision
• Patients are schedule to have a cesarean section with a member of the Women's Health or Maternal and Fetal Medicine Departments at Penn State University Hershey S. Medical Center

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of opioid use
• History of chronic pain syndrome
• Use of general anesthesia during cesarean delivery
• Postoperative SICU admission
• Postpartum hemorrhage (defined as an Estimated Blood Loss of greater then 1,000mL upon completion of the cesarean section)