Laparoscopic-Assisted TAP Block VErsus Trocar-site Infiltration After Laparoscopic Appendectomy

NCT07849751 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: FSMEAH-TAP-207-26
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial compared laparoscopic-assisted transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with trocar-site local anesthetic infiltration for postoperative pain management in adult patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy for uncomplicated acute appendicitis. Sixty patients were randomized to receive either bilateral laparoscopic-assisted TAP block or local anesthetic infiltration at the trocar sites. Postoperative pain intensity, rescue analgesic requirements, recovery parameters, postoperative nausea and vomiting, complications, and length of hospital stay were evaluated.

Conditions

Acute Appendicitis

Keywords

Postoperative Pain; Transversus Abdominis Plane Block; TAP Block; Laparoscopic Appendectomy; Bupivacaine

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Postoperative Pain Intensity Assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  Postoperative pain at rest was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) in both study groups at predefined postoperative time points.

  Postoperative hours 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24

Study Arms (2)

laparoscopic-assisted TAP Block

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a bilateral laparoscopic-assisted transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block after induction of general anesthesia. Under direct laparoscopic visualization, 15 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine was administered on each side, for a total volume of 30 mL and a total bupivacaine dose of 75 mg.

Procedure: laparoscopic-assisted transversus abdominis plane block

trocar-site local anesthetic infiltration

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received local anesthetic infiltration at the three trocar sites before skin incision. A total of 15 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine was administered, with 5 mL infiltrated at each trocar site into the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and fascia, for a total bupivacaine dose of 75 mg.

Procedure: trocar-site local anesthetic infiltration

Interventions

trocar-site local anesthetic infiltration PROCEDURE

Local anesthetic infiltration was performed at the three trocar sites before skin incision. A total of 15 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine was administered, with 5 mL infiltrated at each trocar site into the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and fascia, for a total bupivacaine dose of 75 mg.

trocar-site local anesthetic infiltration

laparoscopic-assisted transversus abdominis plane block PROCEDURE

Bilateral laparoscopic-assisted transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block was performed after induction of general anesthesia. Under direct laparoscopic visualization, 15 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine was administered on each side, for a total volume of 30 mL and a total bupivacaine dose of 75 mg.

laparoscopic-assisted TAP Block

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-65 years
• ASA physical status I-II
• Uncomplicated acute appendicitis without perforation or phlegmon
• Undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy
• Written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Allergy to local anesthetics
• Systemic disease such as diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney failure, or bleeding diathesis
• Infection at the block application site
• Regular analgesic use for chronic pain
• Alcohol or narcotic dependence
• Intraoperative diagnosis of perforated or phlegmonous appendicitis
• Conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Reserch Hospital

Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Appendicitis; Pain, Postoperative

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Intraabdominal Infections; Infections; Gastroenteritis; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Digestive System Diseases; Cecal Diseases; Intestinal Diseases; Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: parallel assignment

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 24, 2026
• First Posted: September 30, 2026
• Study Start: August 16, 2017
• Primary Completion: January 6, 2018
• Study Completion: January 6, 2018
• Last Updated: September 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Time Frame: Data will be available upon reasonable request following publication of the study results.
• Access Criteria: De-identified individual participant data and related analysis outputs will be available to researchers upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.

Locations

TU (1)