Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction: Analysis of Pain, Narcotic Consumption, Length of Stay, and Cost

What is it about?

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks for breast reconstruction with abdominal tissue utilize intraoperative injections of modified long-acting local anesthetics into the abdominal wall to block sensory nerves and provide an additional method of decreasing surgical pain. TAP blocks are becoming increasing popular as a part of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols and have also shown promising results as single agents. However, particular details about their ability to decrease abdominal pain and length of hospital stay after surgery, as well as their cost implications are still not well understood. Our study compared hospital length of stay, types of narcotic pain medication consumption, abdominal pain and hospital expenses between patients that received TAP blocks and those that did not after abdominally-based microvascular breast reconstruction. Our data showed that all patients who received TAP blocks had significantly decreased oral and total opioid pain medication consumption postoperatively as well decreased abdominal pain compared to those who did not. High-risk patients with a body mass index equal to or greater than 25 who received TAP blocks also had a significantly decreased postoperative inpatient length of stay and decreased hospital expenses.

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