Comparison between the analgesic efficacy of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and placebo in open retropubic radical prostatectomy: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided tansversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with placebo for postoperative analgesia after retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP).

DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blinded study.

SETTING: Tertiary-care Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital.

PATIENTS: ASA physical status 1, 2, and 3 patients scheduled for RRP.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to two groups: the TAP group and the control group. All patients underwent an ultrasound-guided TAP block procedure after induction of general anesthesia and received either local anesthetic (TAP group) or normal saline (control group).

MEASUREMENTS: Opioid use and verbal analog pain scores at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery were recorded, as was the frequency of side effects. Times to ambulation and first oral intake also were recorded.

MAIN RESULTS: The TAP block group had lower pain scores and required less total opioid in the first 24 hours after surgery. Time to first oral intake and time to ambulation were similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: The TAP block has early benefits in postoperative analgesia after RRP.