Postoperative Analgesia in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Comparison of Posterior and Subcostal TAP Block Approaches

Authors

Rana Irfan King Edward Medical University ,Mayo Hospital, Lahore
Lala Rukh Bangash Allama Iqbal Medical College
Madiha Zafar University of Child Health Sciences/Children Hospital, Lahore.
Sharib Khalid University of Child Health Sciences/Children Hospital, Lahore.
Maria Arshad Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore
Anum Anwar Lahore General Hospital, Lahore.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51273/esc25.251321122

Keywords:

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, TAP block, VAS score, subcostal TAP block, posterior TAP block, post-operative analgesia, % percent

Abstract

Abstract
Objective: To compare the efficacy of subcostal transversus abdominis plane block with posterior
transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic
cholecystectomy.
Material and Methods: This randomized control trial was performed in the Department of Anaesthesia of
King Edward Medical University, Lahore. After approval from the Institutional Review Board and obtaining
consent from the patients, the patients meeting the set criteria were randomly divided into two groups,
namely S and P. After surgery, an ultrasound-guided subcostal TAP block was performed in group S, and a
posterior TAP block was performed in group P. The severity of pain was assessed using Visual Analogue
Score (VAS) at time 0 and then every 2 hours for 12 hours from each patient in the postoperative period
Results: Both subcostal and posterior TAP blocks controlled the postoperative pain. The efficacy of both
techniques was comparable in the initial hours post-operatively; however, at four hours and onwards, the
postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in patients of Group S as compared to those in Group P.
Conclusion: Subcostal TAP block is more effective than posterior TAP block for post-procedural pain relief
in patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Keywords: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, TAP block, Subcostal TAP block, Posterior TAP block, VAS
score, Post-operative analgesia.
How to cite: Irfan R, Bangash LR, Zafar M, Khalid S, Arshad M, Anwar A. Postoperative Analgesia in Laparoscopic
Cholecystectomy: A Comparison of Posterior and Subcostal TAP Block Approaches. Esculapio - JSIMS 2025;21(01):
121-126
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51273/esc25.251321122

Author Biographies

Rana Irfan, King Edward Medical University ,Mayo Hospital, Lahore

Post Graduate Resident in Department of Anaesthesia

Lala Rukh Bangash, Allama Iqbal Medical College

Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore

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Published

2025-03-31

How to Cite

Rana Irfan, Lala Rukh Bangash, Madiha Zafar, Sharib Khalid, Maria Arshad, Anum Anwar. Postoperative Analgesia in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Comparison of Posterior and Subcostal TAP Block Approaches. Esculapio - JSIMS [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 31 [cited 2025 May 13];21(1):121-6. Available from: https://esculapio.pk/journal/index.php/journal-files/article/view/1208