MedPath

Transversus Abdominis Plane Block in the Management of Acute Postoperative Pain Syndrome After Caesarean Section

Phase 3
Terminated
Conditions
Pain
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT02728323
Lead Sponsor
Emiliano Petrucci
Brief Summary

In many countries, caesarean section (CS) rates have been increasing. The international literature is unclear regarding the analgesic efficacy of the transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) after a CS. In particular, no clinical trials exist in which the correct method of performing this block has been matched with the obtained analgesic effect after a CS. The primary goal of the study was to determine whether a correctly performed ultrasound-guided TAPB (USG-TAPB) could provide patients who underwent a CS with better control of acute postoperative pain during the first 72 hours after surgery

Detailed Description

Transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) is a regional anesthetic technique that can provide analgesia for lower abdominal surgical procedures. Previous meta-analyses and recently published clinical trials have demonstrated promising results for this technique when it is used as part of multimodal postoperative pain treatment, but no consensus exists regarding the potency of this type of anesthetic procedure for analgesia after a CS. The primary goal of the study was to determine whether a correctly performed ultrasound-guided TAPB (USG-TAPB) could provide patients who underwent a CS with better control of acute postoperative pain during the first 72 hours after surgery. In this study, the correct execution of an USG-TAPB was verified, and then the procedure was matched with the obtained analgesic effect after a CS.

The secondary aims were to determine whether USG-TAPB could ensure a decline in postoperative requests for opiates and fewer opiate-related side effects, the return of faster bowel function, and shorter recovery time without generating critical hemodynamic changes.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
96
Inclusion Criteria
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III
  • Caesarian Section. The Pfannenstiel incision was performed.
Read More
Exclusion Criteria
  • body mass index (BMI) >35
  • allergy to local anesthetics
  • skeletal and/or muscle abnormalities of the spine
  • primary and/or secondary neurological diseases
  • psychiatric diseases
  • history of chronic pain and/or neuropathic disorders
  • history of drug abuse
  • state of sepsis
  • infection and/or tumors within the skin on the back
  • primary or secondary coagulopathies
  • pre-eclampsia or eclampsia.
Read More

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboSaline20 ml of Saline (for 100 mg Levobupivacaine) intramuscularly, at the end of surgery
Levobupivacaine 100 mg, USG TAP BlockLevobupivacaine100 mg of Levobupivacaine by intramuscular injection, at the end of surgery
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Postoperative pain (Numeric Rate Scale) at 72 hours after surgery72 hours

The 11-point numeric scale ranges from '0' representing one pain extreme (e.g. "no pain") to '10' representing the other pain extreme (e.g. "pain as bad as you can imagine" or "worst pain imaginable").

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The consumption of painkillers at 72 hours after surgery72 hours

The equianalgesic dose (in mg) of morphine.

Patient satisfaction at 72 hours from surgery72 hours

Descriptive scale of satisfaction in four step: not at all/slightly/somewhat/very satisfied)

The time of recovery of bowel function at 72 hours from surgery72 hours

Time (in hours) to have defacation

The time of hospital discharge at 72 hours after surgery72 hours

Time (days after surgery) for hospital discharging

The healing of the surgical wound at 72 hours72 hours

Descriptive scale of four step: unacceptable/acceptable/excellent healing

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath