Comparison of the Efficacy of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block and Erector Spinae Plane Block in Postoperative Analgesia Management After Abdominoplasty

Introduction: Abdominoplasty involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdominal region, rectus sheath plication, and umbilical transposition. The number of cosmetic abdominoplasty procedures has been steadily increasing in recent years. Due to extensive tissue manipulation and large incisions during surgery, postoperative pain has become a significant concern. Studies report that up to 80% of patients experience postoperative pain; however, fewer than half of these patients receive adequate analgesia. Improving postoperative pain control has been shown to facilitate early mobilization, reduce hospital length of stay, lower healthcare costs, and enhance patient satisfaction. Therefore, ensuring effective postoperative analgesia has become a critical aspect of patient management.

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and erector spinae plane (ESP) block are peripheral nerve block techniques that can be used as part of a multimodal analgesia approach for postoperative pain management after abdominoplasty. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of TAP and ESP blocks on postoperative pain in patients undergoing abdominoplasty.

Aim/Hypothesis:

H0: There is a significant difference in the analgesic efficacy between ultrasound-guided ESP and TAP blocks in postoperative pain management after abdominoplasty.

H1: There is not a significant difference in the analgesic efficacy between ultrasound-guided ESP and TAP blocks in postoperative pain management after abdominoplasty.

Materials and Methods: Our study was designed as a retrospective analysis. Patient records and hospital database will be reviewed to identify all patients who underwent abdominoplasty and received TAP block or ESP block for postoperative analgesia. Demographic data including age, gender, weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, as well as comorbidities and medications used will be recorded on case report forms. The type of block performed (TAP or ESP) and postoperative pain scores obtained from pain assessment forms using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively will be documented. In addition, data from the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device will be recorded, including number of doses demanded (DEM) and number of doses delivered (DEL). Other parameters such as additional analgesic requirements, postoperative nausea and vomiting, itching and patient satisfaction will also be recorded.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Postoperative Pain; Erector Spinae Plane Block; Abdominoplasty; Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block; Procedure: Erector spina plane block (ESP)

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Erbil Türksal, Specialist; Phone Number: +90 530 228 1319; Email: drerbilturksal@hotmail.com

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Keçiören
    • Ankara, Keçiören, Turkey, 06290
      • Recruiting
      • University of Health Sciences, Ankara Atatürk Sanatorium Training and Research Hospital
      • Contact: Erbil Türksal, Specialist; Phone Number: +90 530 228 1319; Email: drerbilturksal@hotmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All patients who underwent abdominoplasty in our hospital between July 2018 and July 2023 and met the inclusion criteria.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who underwent abdominoplasty and received TAP or ESP blocks for postoperative analgesia, followed by monitoring with IV PCA.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cases in which IV PCA was not used, VAS scoring was unavailable, or complications occurred.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Patients who underwent abdominoplasty and received TAP block; Patients who underwent abdominoplasty and received TAP block for postoperative analgesia, followed by intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA).	Procedure: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block; Ultrasound-guided TAP block
Patients who underwent abdominoplasty and received ESP block; Patients who underwent abdominoplasty and received ESP block for postoperative analgesia, followed by intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA).	Procedure: Erector spina plane block (ESP); Ultrasound-guided ESP block

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Postoperative Pain	Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The VAS consists of a 10cm line, with two end points representing 0 ('no pain') and 10 ('pain as bad as it could possibly be').	Postoperative 24 hours

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ankara Ataturk Sanatorium Training and Research Hospital
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Erbil Türksal, Specialist, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Atatürk Sanatorium Training and Research Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 20, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 20, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 20, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 20, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 20, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): February 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 15, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 12, 2025
• Last Verified: February 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pain, Postoperative
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2012-KAEK-15/2619

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No