The 4-quadrant TAP block provides analgesia to the entire anterior abdominal wall including the parietal peritoneum and has relevance in patients undergoing open as well as laparoscopic surgery. During emergency laparotomy, the surgical incision is often generous, crossing the T10 dermatome.

What does the TAP block Block?

A TAP or transversus abdominis plane block numbs the abdominal muscles and skin in preparation for surgery. A transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a procedure to anesthetize the nerves that provide sensation and muscle function to the abdominal wall and skin.

What nerves are blocked with TAP block?

These include the intercostal nerves (T7-T11), the subcostal nerve (T12), and the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves (L1). Figure 1. Cutaneous innervation of the abdominal wall . Coloured region is mostly blocked by a single injection posterior TAP block.

How much local anesthesia is needed for a TAP block?

Since it is a field block, a large amount of local anesthetic is required. Usually 20 ml of local anesthetic is deposited on each side; the concentration is decided by the total safe dose of the local anesthetic used. We prefer to use Ropivacaine.

What is Linea Semilunaris?

The linea semilunaris is a vertical, curved structure that runs along the lateral edges of the rectus abdominis muscle in the anterior abdominal wall. It is the site of union where tendons of the lateral abdominal muscles meet the sheath surrounding the rectus abdominis muscle, also known as the rectus sheath.

What is a subcostal tap block?

The subcostal transverse abdominis plane (SCTAP) block is the deposition of local anesthetic in the transverse abdominis plane inferior and parallel to the costal margin.

Where do you inject tap blocks?

The injection site is at the TAP between internal oblique and transversus abdominis posterior to the midaxillary line and near the aponeurosis.

How do you do tap blocks?

Where is a TAP block done?

US-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block implicates the injection of LA in between the transversus abdominis (TA) and internal oblique (IO) muscles. The TAP block can also be targeted using anatomical landmarks at the level of the Petit triangle.

Are tap blocks effective?

TAP block showed an equivalent safety profile to all comparators in the incidence of nausea (OR = 1.07) and vomiting (OR = 0.81). TAP block was more effective in reducing morphine consumption [MD = 13.05, 95% CI (8.33, 51.23)] and in delaying time to first analgesic request [MD = 123.49, 95% CI (48.59, 198.39)].

What is the level of a TAP block?

Aug 7, 2019. The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is an abdominal wall block that provides somatic coverage potentially from T6 to L1 but most typically from T10-L1.

Is TAP block a regional Anaesthetic?

The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthesia technique that provides analgesia to the parietal peritoneum as well as the skin and muscles of the anterior abdominal wall [1].

How long does a tap block last?

Patients must be educated first about the expected length of analgesic effect. The duration of action of this block is variable, with one source reporting up to 36 hours of effective analgesia from a single injection. Anecdotally, we find the TAP blocks to last anywhere from 18-24 hours.

What medication is used for a tap block?

The goal of a TAP Block is long-acting pain relief, which can be accomplished with bupivacaine or ropivacaine. Higher volumes of more dilute anesthetic (0.5% vs 0.75% bupivacaine) allow for more efficient spread across the fascial plane (NYSORA, 2018).

How long do QL blocks last?

24–48 h Quadratus lumborum block is a new form of the abdominal wall block which is relatively easily performed thanks to clear ultrasound anatomic markers. The block effect lasts 24–48 h and until now no complications have been described during the block performance.

What is the fascia Transversalis?

The transversalis fascia is a thin layer of connective tissue lining most of the abdominal cavity between the posterior surface of the transversus abdominis and superficial to the extraperitoneal fat and peritoneum.

What is the arcuate line?

The arcuate line is an area of demarcation visible from the peritoneal surface of the abdominal wall, residing one-third the distance between the umbilicus and the pubis. The arcuate line can be a sharp demarcation, or it can be a gradual transition zone where the fibers of the posterior sheath gradually disappear.[1]

What is the linea alba and tendinous intersections?

The linea alba is a band of connective tissue that divides the two halves of the muscle vertically. The linea semilunaris is the tendinous intersection that separates the lateral edge of the muscle from the external oblique and internal oblique muscles that lie on the lateral surface of the anterior abdominal wall.

What is tap in ultrasound?

The ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a well-established regional anesthetic block used by anesthesiologists for perioperative pain control of the anterior abdominal wall.

Is a tap block a peripheral nerve block?

The transverse abdominis plane (TAP) block is a peripheral nerve block designed to anesthetize the nerves supplying the anterior abdominal wall (T6 to L1). It was first described in 2001 by Rafi as a traditional blind landmark technique using the lumbar triangle of Petit (see the image below).

What is Subcostal approach?

The subcostal approach is suitable after abdominal surgery in the periumbilical region. Modified further, the needle can be introduced by multiple punctures along the oblique subcostal line from the xiphoid process towards the anterior part of the iliac crest and this approach is called the oblique subcostal TAP block.

What local anesthetic is used for tap block?

In summary, based on the current knowledge, we suggest the use of dilute concentrations of local anesthetic (e.g., bupivacaine 0.2 to 0.25% or ropivacaine 0.2 to 0.25%) and injectate volumes of at least 15 ml (per side) for single-injection transversus abdominis plane blocks.

Does tap block cover visceral pain?

The goal of the TAP block is to inject local anesthetic in the plane between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. This will interrupt innervation to the abdominal skin, muscles, and parietal peritoneum; however, it will not block visceral pain.

What is a tap procedure?

A paracentesis, or an abdominal tap, is a procedure that removes ascites (build-up of fluid) from your abdomen (belly). The fluid buildup can be painful. Ascites may be caused by: Cancer. An infection.