This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (12) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Shibata, Y. Articles by Komatsu, T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Shibata, Y. Articles by Komatsu, T.

---

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Transversus Abdominis Plane Block

Department of Anesthesiology; Aichi Medical University School of Medicine; Aichi, Japan; yshiba{at}aichi-med-u.ac.jp

To the Editor:

Using a "double-pop" technique to advance a needle into the transversus abdominis neurofascial plane via the lumbar triangle of Petit, McDonnell et al. (1) reported excellent analgesia following transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block. Following the earlier report of the results of this technique from these authors (2), we have performed transversus abdominal plane block under ultrasound guidance in patients undergoing gynecological abdominal surgery. The transversus abdominis neurofascial plane can be easily visualized on the midaxillary line and the local anesthetic spread can be confirmed in real-time.

We disagree with McDonnell et al. that TAP block can produce a dermatomal sensory block of the lower six thoracic and upper lumbar abdominal afferents. We assessed the extent of ultrasound guided TAP block by pinprick in 26 patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery. The mean upper and level of sensory block at 30 min after local anesthetic injection were T10 (range, T9–11), L1 (range, T12–L1), respectively. We think that lower abdominal surgery should be an indication for TAP block.

REFERENCES

1. McDonnell JG, O'Donnell B, Curley G, Heffernan A, Power C, Laffey JG. The analgesic efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block after abdominal surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Anesth Analg 2007;104:193–7[Abstract/Free Full Text]
2. O'Donnell BD, McDonnell JG, McShane AJ. The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in open retropubic prostatectomy. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2006;31:91[Web of Science][Medline]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Niraj, A. Searle, M. Mathews, V. Misra, M. Baban, S. Kiani, and M. Wong Analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block in patients undergoing open appendicectomy Br. J. Anaesth., October 1, 2009; 103(4): 601 - 605. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. M. N. Tran, J. J. Ivanusic, P. Hebbard, and M. J. Barrington Determination of spread of injectate after ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block: a cadaveric study Br. J. Anaesth., January 1, 2009; 102(1): 123 - 127. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Carney, J. G. McDonnell, A. Ochana, R. Bhinder, and J. G. Laffey The Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Provides Effective Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Total Abdominal Hysterectomy Anesth. Analg., December 1, 2008; 107(6): 2056 - 2060. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Hebbard Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Under Ultrasound Guidance Anesth. Analg., February 1, 2008; 106(2): 674 - 675. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Groudine Sugammadex Rocuronium Dosing Anesth. Analg., September 1, 2007; 105(3): 884 - 884. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. G. McDonnell and J. G. Laffey Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Anesth. Analg., September 1, 2007; 105(3): 883 - 883. [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (12) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Shibata, Y. Articles by Komatsu, T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Shibata, Y. Articles by Komatsu, T.