Skip to main content

Truncal Blocks: Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks and Derivatives

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
  • 782 Accesses

Abstract

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, transversalis fascia plane (TFP) block and iliiohypogastric/ilioinguinal blocks are discussed. There are landmark-based and ultrasound-based insertion techniques described for each block with differences in efficacy and duration of effect. TAP approaches include subcostal oblique (anaesthesia above the umbilicus), mid-axillary (anaesthesia below the umbilicus), posterior (anaesthesia below the umbilicus) and the bilateral dual (complete abdominal wall anaesthesia). The TFP block provide anaesthesia of the L1 and L2 distribution and can provide analgesia for iliac crest bone grafting, open inguinal hernia repair and open appendicectomy. Iliohypogastric/ilioinguinal nerve blocks are primarily used for inguinal hernia repair surgery and can be landmark based as well as ultrasound guided.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Moore K, Dalley A. Clinically oriented anatomy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Watkins; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Rozen WM, Tran TMN, Ashton MW, Barrington MJ, Ivanusic JJ, Taylor GI. Refining the course of the thoracolumbar nerves: a new understanding of the innervation of the anterior abdominal wall. Clin Anat. 2008;21:325–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Van Schoor AN, Boon JM, Bosenberg AT, Abrahams PH, Meiring JH. Anatomical considerations of the pediatric ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block. Paediatr Anaesth. 2005;15:371–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Rafi AN. Abdominal field block: a new approach via the lumbar triangle. Anaesthesia. 2001;56:1024–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Loukas M, Tubbs RS, El-Sedfy A, Jester A, Polepalli S, Kinsela C, Wu S. The clinical anatomy of the triangle of Petit. Hernia. 2007;11:441–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. McDonnell JG, Curley G, Carney J, Benton A, Costello J, Maharaj CH, Laffey JG. The analgesic efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block after caesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial. Anesth Analg. 2008;106:186–91.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. McDonnell JG, O’Donnell BD, Farrell T, Gough N, Tuite D, Power C, Laffey JG. Transversus abdominis plane block: a cadaveric and radiological evaluation. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2007;32:399–404.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Blanco R. TAP block under ultrasound guidance: the description of a “no pops” technique. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2007;32(S1):130.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hebbard P. Subcostal transversus abdominis plane block under ultrasound. Anesth Analg. 2008;106(2):674–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Carney J, McDonnell JG, Bhinder R, Maharaja CH, Laffey JG. Ultrasound guided continuous transversus abdominis plane block for post-operative pain relief in abdominal surgery. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2007;32(S1):24.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Walter EJ, Smith P, Albertyn R, Uncles DR. Ultrasound imaging for transversus abdominis blocks. Anaesthesia. 2008;63:211.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Børglum J, Maschmann C, Belhage B, Jensen K. Ultrasound-guided bilateral dual transversus abdominis plane block: a new four-point approach. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2011;55:658–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Tanggaard K, Jensen K, Lenz K, Vazin M, Binzer J, Lindberg-Larsen VO, Niegsch M, Bendtsen TF, Jorgensen LN, Borglum J. A randomised controlled trial of bilateral dual transversus abdominis plane blockade for laparoscopic appendicectomy. Anaesthesia. 2015;70(12):1395–400.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. McDonnell JG, O'Donnell B, Curley G, Heffernan A, Power C, Laffey JG. The analgesic efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block after abdominal surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Anesth Analg. 2007;104:193–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Carney J, McDonnell JG, Ochana A, Bhinder R, Laffey JG. The transversus abdominis plane block provides effective postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy. Anesth Analg. 2008;107:2056–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Carney J, Finnerty O, Rauf J, Curley G, McDonnell JG, Laffey JG. Ipsilateral transversus abdominis plane block provides effective analgesia after appendectomy in children: a randomized controlled trial. Anesth Analg. 2010;111:998–1003.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Peterse PL, Mathiesen O, Torup H, Dahl JB. The transversus abdominis plane block: a valuable option for postoperative analgesia? A topical review. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2010;54:529–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Abdallah FW, Chan VW, Brull R. Transversus abdominis plane block: a systematic review. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2012;37:193–209.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Carney J, Finnerty O, Rauf J, Bergin D, Laffey JG, Mc Donnell JG. Studies on the spread of local anesthetic solution in transversus abdominis plane blocks. Anaesthesia. 2011;66:1023–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Conaghan P, Maxwell-Armstrong C, Bedforth N, et al. Efficacy of transversus abdominis plane blocks in laparoscopic colorectal resections. Surg Endosc. 2010;24:2480–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. El-Dawlatly AA, Turkistani A, Kettner SC, et al. Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block: description of a new technique and comparison with conventional systemic analgesia during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Br J Anaesth. 2009;102:763–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Mukhtar K, Khattak I. Transversus abdominis plane block for renal transplant recipients. Br J Anaesth. 2010;104:663–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Niraj G, Searle A, Mathews M, Misra V, Baban M, Kiani S, Wong M. Analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block in patients undergoing open appendicectomy. Br J Anaesth. 2009;103:601–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Aveline C, Le Hetet H, Le Roux A, Vautier P, Cognet F, Vinet E, Tison C, Bonnet F. Comparison between ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane and conventional ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve blocks for day-case open inguinal hernia repair. Br J Anaesth. 2011;106:380–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Araco A, Pooney J, Araco F, Gravante G. Transversus abdominis plane block reduces the analgesic requirements after abdominoplasty with flank liposuction. Ann Plast Surg. 2010;65:385–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Niraj G, Kelkar A, Jeyapalan I, Graff-Baker P, Williams O, Darbar A, Maheshwaran A, Powell R. Comparison of analgesic efficacy of subcostal transversus abdominis plane blocks with epidural analgesia following upper abdominal surgery. Anaesthesia. 2011;66(6):465–71.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Hebbard P. Transversalis fascia plane block, a novel ultrasound-guided abdominal wall nerve block. Can J Anesth. 2009;56:618–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Chin J, Hebbard P, Harris M. Ultrasound-guided transversalis fascia plane block provides analgesia for anterior iliac crest bone graft harvesting. Can J Anesth. 2012;59:122–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Willard FH, Vleeming A, Schuenke D, Danneels L, Schleip R. The thoracolumbar fascia: anatomy, function and clinical considerations. J Anat. 2012;221:507–36.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Ding Y, White PF. Post-herniorrhaphy pain in outpatients after preincision ilioinguinal-hypogastric nerve block during monitored anaesthesia care. Can J Anesth. 1995;42:12–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Harrison CA, Morris S, Harvey JS. Effect of ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block and wound infiltration with 0.5% bupivacaine on postoperative pain after hernia repair. Br J Anaesth. 1994;72:691–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Bugedo GJ, Carcamo CR, Mertens RA, Dagnino JA, Munoz HR. Preoperative percutaneous ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block with 0.5% bupivacaine for post-herniorrhaphy pain management in adults. Reg Anesth. 1990;15:130–3.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Toivonen J, Permi J, Rosenberg PH. Effect of preincisional ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block on postoperative analgesic requirement in day-surgery patients undergoing herniorrhaphy under spinal anaesthesia. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2001;45:603–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Willschke H, Marhofer P, Bosenberg A, Johnston S, Wanzel O, Cox SG, Sitzwohl C, Kapral S. Ultrasonography for ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve blocks in children. Br J Anesth. 2005;95:226–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Weintraud M, Marhofer P, Bosenberg A, Kapral S, Willschke H, Felfernig M, Kettner S. Ilioinguinal/ailiohypogastric blocks in children: where do we administer the local anesthetic without direct visualization? Anesth Analg. 2008;106:89–93.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Forero M, Heikkila A, Paul JE, Cheng J, Thabane L. Lumbar transversus abdominis plane block: the role of local anesthetic volume and concentration—a pilot, prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Pilot Feasibil Stud. 2015;1:10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Choi S, Rodseth R, McCartney CJL. Effects of dexamethasone as a local anaesthetic adjuvant for brachial plexus block: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Br J Anaesth. 2014;112(3):427.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Abdallah FW, Brull R. Facilitatory effects of perineural dexmedetomidine on neuraxial and peripheral nerve block: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Anaesth. 2013;110:915–25.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Ammar A, Mahmoud K. Effect of adding dexamethasone to bupivacaine on transversus abdominis plane block for abdominal hysterectomy: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Saudi J Anaesth. 2012;6(3):229–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Almarakbi W, Kaki A. Addition of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane block potentiates post-operative pain relief among abdominal hysterectomy patients: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Saudi J Anaesth. 2014;8(2):161–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Griffiths JD, Le NV, Grant S, Bjorksten A, Hebbard P, Royse C. Symptomatic local anaesthetic toxicity and plasma ropivacaine concentrations after transversus abdominis plane block for Caesarean section. Br J Anaesth. 2009;105:853–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Jankovic Z, Ahmad N, Ravishankar N, Archer F. Transversus abdominis plane block: how safe is it? Anesth Analg. 2008;107(5):1758–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Weintraub M, Marhofer P, Bosenberg A, Kapral S, Willschke H, Felfernig M, Kettner S. Ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric blocks in children: where do we administer the local anesthetic without direct visualization? Anesth Analg. 2008;106:89–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Farooq M, Carey M. A case of liver trauma with a blunt regional anesthesia needle while performing transversus abdominis plane block. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2008;33(3):274–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Recommended Reading

  • Abdallah FW, Laffey JG, Halpern SH, Brull R. Duration of analgesic effectiveness after the posterior and lateral transversus abdominis plane block techniques for transverse lower abdominal incisions: a meta-analysis. Br J Anaesth. 2013;111(5):721–35.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bærentzen F, Maschmann C, Jensen K, Belhage B, Hensler M, Børglum J. Ultrasound-guided nerve block for inguinal hernia repair: a randomized, controlled, double-blind study. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2012;37(5):502–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finnerty O, Carney J, McDonnell JG. Trunk blocks for abdominal surgery. Anaesthesia. 2010;65(S1):76–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Husain NKA, Ravalia A. Ultrasound-guided ilioinguinal and rectus sheath nerve blocks [letter]. Anaesthesia. 2006;61:1126.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith BE, Suchak M, Siggins D, Challands J. Rectus sheath block for diagnostic laparoscopy. Anaesthesia. 1988;43:947–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yentis SM, Hills-Wright P, Potparic O. Development and evaluation of combined rectus sheath and ilioinguinal blocks for abdominal gynaecological surgery. Anaesthesia. 1999;54:466–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

McMahon, A., McDonnell, J.G., Børglum, J. (2018). Truncal Blocks: Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks and Derivatives. In: Krige, A., Scott, M. (eds) Analgesia in Major Abdominal Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94482-1_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94482-1_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-94480-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-94482-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics