Actively Recruiting
Effect of Bilateral Ultrasound-Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block on Quality of Recovery in Cesarean Delivery Patients Receiving Intrathecal Morphine: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
Led by MEHMET GÖKHAN TAFLAN · Updated on 2026-04-02
150
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
2 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether adding a bilateral ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block to standard intrathecal morphine (ITM) analgesia improves recovery for women undergoing elective cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia. The study focuses on postoperative pain management and recovery quality, aiming to see if TAP block enhances pain relief, functional recovery, and reduces opioid use compared to ITM alone. This observational cohort study includes assessor blinding to group allocation. Participants are divided into two groups: one receiving only spinal anesthesia with 100 micrograms of ITM and standard postoperative intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) morphine, and the other receiving the same ITM plus a bilateral ultrasound-guided TAP block performed at the end of surgery with 0.25% bupivacaine. Both groups also receive scheduled paracetamol and NSAIDs as part of multimodal analgesia. The TAP block targets abdominal wall nerves to potentially provide additional pain relief. During the study, researchers will evaluate recovery quality 24 hours after surgery using the Obstetric Quality of Recovery-10 (ObsQoR-10) questionnaire. They will also measure pain scores, total opioid consumption, time to first breastfeeding, mobilization, and hospital discharge. Assessments are done while keeping outcome assessors unaware of group assignment to reduce bias. Participation lasts through the postoperative period with follow-up up to 7 days for hospital discharge timing.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effect of Bilateral Ultrasound-Guided TAP Block on Quality of Recovery in Cesarean Delivery Patients Receiving Intrathecal Morphine
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Female patients aged 18-45 years
- Singleton pregnancy
- ASA physical status II-III
- Scheduled elective lower segment cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine as standard care
- Able to understand study procedures, provide written informed consent, and reliably use intravenous patient-controlled analgesia
- Able to complete the Obstetric Quality of Recovery-10 questionnaire (with trained assistance if needed)
You will not qualify if you...
- Contraindication to spinal anesthesia or TAP block (e.g., infection at injection site, coagulopathy, allergy to local anesthetics)
- Chronic opioid use or opioid/alpha-2 agonist intolerance
- Severe preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, significant liver or kidney impairment
- Urgent or emergency cesarean section (Category 1)
- Cognitive impairment or communication difficulty preventing accurate assessment
- Prior major abdominal surgery other than previous cesarean delivery
- Body mass index over 40 kg/m²
- Major psychiatric illness affecting pain perception or recovery quality
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Day of surgery
Participants undergo elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine. Some participants receive an additional bilateral ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block at the end of surgery for improved pain management.
1 visit (in-person, surgery day)
Duration - Up to 24 hours after surgery
Participants are monitored for recovery quality, pain levels, opioid consumption, time to first breastfeeding and mobilization, and hospital discharge over the first 24 hours postoperatively.
Continuous monitoring during hospital stay, including assessments within 24 hours
Duration - Up to 7 days postoperatively
Participants are observed until hospital discharge to assess recovery progress and functional outcomes.
Approximately 1 to 2 visits depending on hospital stay length
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Samsun University Training and Research Hospital
Samsun, Samsun, Turkey (Türkiye), 55090
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Mehmet Gökhan Taflan, MD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
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