Effectiveness of the TAP block compared to wound infiltration in controlling pain after laparoscopic appendectomy in children
Laparoscopic appendectomy is one of the main emergency surgical procedures performed in children. The available local anesthesia techniques include wound infiltration or "wall" blocks such as the TAP (transversus abdominis plane) block. The greater evidence on the adult population suggests that both techniques are valid for pain control in the immediate postoperative period, although wall blocks can guarantee a more prolonged analgesic effect over time. The evidence on the pediatric population, on the other hand, is less strong and sometimes conflicting: therefore, the objective of our study is to verify the efficacy of TAP block compared to wound infiltration in the control of postoperative pain after appendectomy in pediatric patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
20
At the end of surgery patients will receive bilateral ultrasound-guided single-shot TAP block: 0,15% levobupivacaine 0,75 mg/kg per side will be injected between internal oblique and transveralis fascia
At the end of surgery 0,5% levobupivacaine 1.5 mg/kg, equally distributed between ports, injected in the skin and subcutaneous tissue during wound closure.
General anesthesia will be induced with fentanyl 1,5 mcg/kg, propofol 2 mg/kg, rocuronium 0,6 mg/kg; after intubation anesthesia will be mantained with sevoflurane (MAC 1). 30 minutes after induction will be administered paracetamol 15 mg/kg iv.
Department of Day Surgery Ospedale di Circolo Varese
Varese, VA, Italy
Postoperative pain at 2 hours
Difference in pain severity (assessed by Wong Baker for under 8 year and visual analog scale dor older than 8) of TAP block goup compared to wound infiltration group 2 hours after the end of the surgery.
Time frame: 2 hours
Postoperative pain at 4-12-24 hours
Difference in pain severity (assessed by Wong Baker for under 8 year and visual analog scale dor older than 8) of TAP block goup compared to wound infiltration group 4 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours from the end of the surgery.
Time frame: from 4 to 24 postoperative hours
Total opioid consumption
Differences in tramadol rescue use (expressed in mg/kg) in the TAP group compared to the LIA group
Time frame: from 2 to 24 postoperative hours
time to first opioid analgesic rescue
Differences in the elapsed time before first request for tramadol rescue in the TAP group compared to the LIA group
Time frame: from 2 to 24 postoperative hours
Side effects
Differences in the incidence of side effects depending on the anesthetic technique adopted
Time frame: from 2 to 24 postoperative hours
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During first 48 hours after surgery all patients wil receive paracetamol 15 mg/kg iv every 8 hours and ibuprofen 10 mg/kg orally (or through gastric tube) every 12 hours after surgery. In case of severe pain tramadol 0,5 mg/kg will be administered iv every 8 hours.