Laparoscopic-Assisted Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block Versus Port-Site Infiltration with Local Anesthetics in Bariatric Surgery: a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has shown great potential usefulness in the management of postoperative pain; however, there is lacking evidence regarding its use in bariatric surgery. This randomized double-blind trial was aimed at comparing the effectiveness of the TAP block and port-site infiltration (PSI) in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Methods: We included patients ≥ 18 years old undergoing bariatric surgery. From July 2020 to July 2021, all eligible patients were randomized to receive either laparoscopic-assisted TAP block or PSI. Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed.

Results: During the study period, we included 113 patients. Fifty-one were allocated to the TAP block group and 62 to the PSI group. The mean age was 47.9 ± 11.2 years, 88 (77.9%) patients were female, and mean BMI was 40.5 ± 5.9 kg/m. Operative time was 110 ± 42 min vs. 114 ± 41 min in the TAP block and PSI groups (p = 0.658). At 24 h after surgery, pain on the VAS was 2.5 ± 2.6 vs. 2.3 ± 2.1 (p = 0.661). No significant difference between the groups was noted at 3, 6, 12, and 18 h. Also, opioid and antiemetic consumption, the length of stay (3.4 ± 1.5 days vs. 3.2 ± 1.1 days, p = 0.392), and satisfaction score (154 ± 10 pts vs. 154 ± 16 pts, p = 0.828) were similar in the two groups.

Conclusions: Patients undergoing bariatric surgery and receiving either the TAP block or the PSI had similar postoperative pain, nausea, length of stay, and satisfaction. As PSI is technically easier and more reproducible, it might be the first choice for postoperative multimodal analgesia in bariatric surgery.