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Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Versus Local Wound Infiltration for Postoperative Pain After Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Resection: a Randomized, Double-Blinded Study

  • Original Article
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Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

Despite the extensive administration of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program, postoperative pain remains a major concern for patients. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and local wound infiltration (LWI) are two techniques that have been widely applied in abdominal surgery. However, these two techniques have rarely been compared in terms of their analgesic effects on patients that undergo laparoscopic colorectal surgery with the ERAS program.

Methods

A randomized, double-blinded study was conducted in this study. Briefly, 174 patients that underwent colorectal surgery with the ERAS program were randomly allocated to TAP block treatment (TAP group) or local wound infiltration (LWI group). All patients were assessed for their pain scores at rest and in motion at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after surgery. The administration frequency of bolus for PCIA and the use amount of rescue analgesics (parecoxib) were recorded. Finally, the patients were monitored with follow-up surveys on their postoperative function recovery, complications, lengths of stay, treatment cost, and satisfaction.

Results

In terms of the pain scores at rest and in motion, the two groups revealed no significant difference throughout the study sessions, and no difference was found in the administration frequency of bolus and the use amount of parecoxib. Moreover, the two groups demonstrated similar results in their postoperative recovery, and no significant differences were found in terms of postoperative complications.

Conclusions

Compared with local wound infiltration, transversus abdominis plane block is not significantly advantageous for postoperative pain control and recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery with the ERAS program. However, local wound infiltration might be preferred since it is available with less technical difficulties.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. Lihua Peng, Ph.D., of the Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, for providing helpful advice of methodology.

Funding

This study was supported by the funding of nation guiding local technology development project (2018–35).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1# Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China

    Li Ren, Peipei Qin, Su Min, Wenjian Wang & Juying Jin

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  1. Li Ren
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  2. Peipei Qin
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  3. Su Min
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  4. Wenjian Wang
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  5. Juying Jin
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Contributions

Li Ren contributed to protocol development, data analysis, and manuscript writing. Peipei Qin participated in the data collection and analysis. Su Min contributed to protocol development and manuscript editing. Wenjian Wang and Juying Jin participated in the data collection.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Su Min.

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Ren, L., Qin, P., Min, S. et al. Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Versus Local Wound Infiltration for Postoperative Pain After Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Resection: a Randomized, Double-Blinded Study. J Gastrointest Surg 26, 425–432 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-021-05121-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-021-05121-y

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