Transversus abdominis plane block versus wound site infiltration using 0.25% bupivacaine for post-operative analgesia after caesarean delivery performed under subarachnoid block

: Transversus abdominis planeTAP) block has been described as an effective technique to reduce postoperative pain after caesarean section. Wound site infiltration (WSI) has been a traditional method for pain relief. In our study we attempt to compare the analgesic effect of TAP block with wound site infiltration after caesarean section. A randomized comparative study was conducted on 60 parturients. Patients were randomized into Group T (TAP block, n=30) and Group I (WSI, n=30). Spinal anaesthesia was administered and at the end of surgery, Group T was administered TAP block with 20 ml of 0.25% of bupivacaine on each side and in Group I, 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine was infiltrated along the wound site. Postoperatively parameters assessed were time to first rescue analgesia, postoperatively patient’s Numeric pain score (NPS) which was assessed periodically over 24hrs and if NPS ≥4 or patient demanded rescue analgesia, Inj diclofenac 75mg i/m was given as first rescue analgesic, total number of doses of first rescue analgesic given over 24hrs, total number of second rescue analgesic and complications were assessed. : The mean time to first rescue analgesia in Group T was 13.40±4.51 hours and in Group I was 6.20±4.25 hours (p-0.001). NPS at 2, 4,6,12 and 24 hours were lower in Group T compared to Group I. Also, analgesic requirement in first 24hours was significantly less in Group T (p-0.001). : TAP block was found to be superior to wound site infiltration in providing effective postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing caesarean section.