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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijaa.2349.8471.5118.1

Abstract

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is an abdominal or truncal field block. Its popularity has increased in the recent times, mainly because it’s widespread applicability in several abdominal surgeries and less incidence of complications. The advent of ultrasound (USG) has revolutionised regional anaesthesia, in general and TAP blocks, in particular. There are various types of TAP block which can be utilised in various abdominal surgeries for effective analgesia, especially after caesarean sections. This article aims to elucidate in a pictorial format, the nerves traversing the TAP plane (Figure 1), the nerve supply of the abdominal wall (Figure 2), the various positions of TAP block (Figure 3) and the sono-anatomy of the USG-guided TAP block (Figure 4). The potential of this block is tremendous and can be useful in patients with coagulopathies, where epidural block is contraindicated. With improved accuracy of USG-guidance, the volume of local anaesthetic injected has also been reduced, bringing down the toxicity rates. Various adjuvants can also be added to local anesthetics for improving efficacy and duration of analgesia with TAP blocks. It is an analgesic boon in the era of minimally-invasive surgeries, especially laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.

Keywords : TAP Block; Abdominal Surgery; Analgesia; Sonoanatomy; USG-Guidance. 

Corresponding Author : Uma Hariharan, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Anesthesiology, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital & Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi 110001, India.