Analgesic Efficacy of Surgeon-administered Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks for Caesarean Section

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether adding a Transversus Abdominis Plane Block (TAP block) improves pain control for patients undergoing a cesarean section. This randomized clinical trial aims to see if this nerve block injection, given into the abdominal wall at the end of surgery, can reduce the need for narcotic pain medications. Previous studies involving other abdominal surgeries suggest that TAP blocks may help patients be more active after surgery and possibly reduce hospital stay time. The study compares two groups: one receiving the surgeon-administered TAP block using 0.25% bupivacaine at a dose of 0.25 mL/kg on each side of the abdomen after uterine closure, and the other receiving no TAP block. The procedure involves precise injection into the transverse abdominis plane under direct visualization during surgery. Patients will not know whether they received the injection, and no sham procedure will be performed. Participants will be monitored for their pain levels 12 hours after surgery as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include the time until first request for additional pain relief within 48 hours, total opioid use up to 48 hours post-operation, and the time from surgery until hospital discharge, usually between 1 and 3 days. The trial involves random assignment and double masking to ensure unbiased results, with study-related care provided throughout the hospital stay and follow-up.

Analgesic Efficacy of Surgeon-administered Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks for Caesarean Section.