The Effects of Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block on Hemodynamic Parameters, Postoperative Analgesia, and Parental Satisfaction in Children

Objective: To evaluate ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, perioperative hemodynamic responses, postoperative analgesic efficacy, length of hospitalisation, and family satisfaction in children undergoing abdominal surgery.Study Design: Randomised clinical trial.Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Harran University Hospital, Turkiye, from June 2020 to June 2021.Methodology: One hundred and eight patients aged 4-12 years in the American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) 1-2 group who will undergo abdominal surgery (intra-abdominal and extra-abdominal) were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups as TAP to be performed (TAP+) and not to (TAP-) using the closed envelope method. General anaesthesia was given to the patients with standard anaesthesia protocol. Intraoperative and postoperative vitals, analgesic consumption in the first 24 hours postoperatively, length of hospitalisation, pain scores with Wong Baker Facial Pain Rating Scale (WBFPS), and parent satisfaction scores with Likert satisfaction scale were recorded.Results: Perioperative SBP, DBP, and HR were significantly lower in the TAP+group (p <0.005). Postoperative analgesic consumption and Likert satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the TAP-group compared to the TAP+Group (p <0.001). Parental satisfaction was significantly higher in the TAP+Group than in the TAP-Group.Conclusion: The application of TAP block to children undergoing abdominal surgery; provided stable hemodynamics in the perioperative period, good analgesia in the postoperative period and increased parental satisfaction. In addition, can also shorten the hospital stays and may be routinely preferred in multimodal analgesia applications.