Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block vs Caudal Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Lower Abdomen Surgery in Children

Abstract

Introduction: Caudal anesthesia is a very popular postoperative analgesia technique for pediatric lower abdominalsurgery. Because of the limitations of caudal block anesthesiologists need to search for alternative regional anesthesiatechniques. This study aims to compare the effects and safety of Ultrasound-assisted TAP block and caudal block inpostoperative analgesia.Materials and Method: The study was conducted in ASA grade I-II, 2-10 years aged cases scheduled for lowerabdominal surgery. At group C (caudal block, n:31), 0,3 mL.kg-1 and at group T (TAP block, n:30), 0,5 mL.kg-1 0,25% levobupivacaine applied at the end of surgery. Patients were assessed for the quality of pain relief by using facespain scale-revised (FPS-R) at 0., 1., 4., 6., hours of the postoperative period. Analgesic consumption, complicationsand adverse effects was recorded.Results: Between two group there were no significant differences at demographical data. The local anesthetic volumeused for TAP block was more than caudal block (T:8,3±4,3 ml> C: 4,1±0,9 ml ) (p<0,05). When we compared theFPS-R at 0. hour, TAP block was more efficient at postoperative pain than caudal block (p<0,05). 22% of all patients(n:14) required analgesic. There were no significant differences between two groups.Conclusion: In conclusion TAP block and caudal block are simple, safe and effective analgesic methods in earlyperiod of postoperative pain management in lower abdominal pediatric surgery.