Transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative analgesia after cesarean delivery

Objective: The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is the ultrasound-guided placement of a peripheral nerve block in the abdominal wall for pain control. Our objective was to compare postoperative adjunctive oral narcotic use in women who underwent cesarean delivery and received the TAP block vs. those who received neuraxial narcotics. We hypothesize a decrease in narcotic use in women who received the TAP block. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of women who received a TAP block for postoperative analgesia after cesarean compared to women who did not. The primary outcome was the total number of oral narcotic tablets administered between 24 and 48 h after surgery. An independent t-test and an analysis of covariance were employed to determine significant differences (P < 0.05) between the cohorts and to adjust for confounders. Results: The TAP block cohort utilized 30% less oral narcotic analgesia than the control cohort (3.8 ± 0.5 tablets, P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders and the presence of antecedent labor, there remained a significant reduction in the total oral narcotic doses given to women who underwent a TAP block compared to other forms of analgesia. Conclusion: The TAP block is associated with decreased oral narcotic usage 24–48 h following cesarean delivery