ABSTRACT

Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia using transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a newer and safer method that can be used in patients undergoing liver transplant surgeries. This systematic review and meta-analysis was done to quantify the analgesic potential and opioid-sparing capability of TAP block in these patients.

The studies comparing TAP‑block to conventional analgesic regimens for liver transplant were searched. The studies evaluating the comparative 24-h morphine consumption during postoperative period in patients undergoing liver transplant surgeries were searched and included as the primary outcome in the analysis.

We found two randomised controlled trials and two retrospective studies that on meta-analysis showed that TAP block group had significantly lower requirement of morphine (WMD=27.59 mg; 95% CI: 33.47–21.70) at 24 h for pain mitigation. Also, postoperative nausea and vomiting was lower (RR=0.76; 95% CI: 0.47–1.22) but not statistically significant.

Ultrasound-guided TAP block provides postoperative analgesic efficacy in patients undergoing liver transplant surgeries. This study was registered in International prospective register of systematic reviews [PROSPERO: CRD42018094595].

Keywords: 24-h morphine, transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, postoperative nausea and vomiting