Abstract

Background: The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthesia technique increasingly used for postoperative pain management in abdominal and pelvic surgeries. Although its use has expanded in recent years, questions remain regarding its comparative efficacy, safety, and optimal clinical application. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of TAP blocks in reducing postoperative opioid consumption and pain scores, as well as in minimizing opioid-related adverse events compared with systemic analgesia or placebo. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2010 and 2023 was performed. Primary outcomes were 24-hour opioid consumption [in morphine milligram equivalents (MME)] and pain scores [measured on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS)]. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of adverse events such as nausea, vomiting, and local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST). Database searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed study quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0. Data were pooled using a random-effects model (RevMan 5.4), with mean differences (MD) reported for continuous outcomes and risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes. Results: Forty-five RCTs comprising 5,200 patients met the inclusion criteria. TAP blocks reduced 24-hour opioid consumption by 45% (MD: -20.1 mg MME, 95% CI: -24.3 to -15.9; p < 0.001) and resting pain scores by 2.1 VAS points at 12 hours (95% CI: -2.7 to -1.5; p < 0.001). Dynamic pain scores over 24 hours were also significantly improved (MD: -1.8, 95% CI: -2.3 to -1.3; p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that patients undergoing colorectal surgeries experienced the greatest opioid-sparing effect (MD: -25.3 mg) compared to caesarean sections (MD: -18.2 mg). No significant differences in complications were noted (RR = 0.9, 95% CI: 0.7–1.2), with LAST occurring in only 0.04% of patients. Moderate heterogeneity (I² = 55%) was observed across the studies. Conclusion: TAP blocks provide a safe and effective opioid-sparing modality for postoperative analgesia in abdominal surgeries. Their incorporation into Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, particularly for open abdominal procedures, is recommended. Future research should focus on standardizing the block technique and local anesthetic dosing to further optimize outcomes.

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