How I Do It

Learn from your colleagues. ASRA Pain Medicine members share how they perform common procedures and accomplish other tasks.

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.^[1] Refinement in ultrasound technology and increased recognition of postoperative pain management have made this a “must-know” technique.^[2-3]

Figure 1. Surface anatomy labelled for landmark insertion of TAP block in an adult male in the supine position

Reprinted with permission from Webster K. The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block: Abdominal plane regional anesthesia. Update in Anaesthesia 2008;24:26.

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History

Although field blocks for abdominal surgery have been used for decades, it was only with the “double pop” technique via the lumbar triangle of Petit described by Rafi that interest really took off.^[4] Soon after, with the advent of readily available and portable (point of care [POC]) ultrasound machines, ultrasound-guided TAP block quickly gained popularity. Since then, numerous variations of this have been employed, including the subcostal TAP, rectus sheath, and quadratus lumborum (QL) blocks (see Figure 1).

Anatomy

The anterolateral abdominal wall is comprised of three major muscles: external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and the transversus abdominis. The sensory innervation is comprised of abdominal wall nerves (anterior rami of spinal nerves T6-L1) as they ultimately course between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. In the interim, they’ve given rise to lateral cutaneous and anterior cutaneous branches.^[5-6]

Relevant anatomical structures: 

• Bony landmarks: Iliac crest, subcostal margin
• External oblique: Most superficial of the three abdominal wall muscles
• Internal oblique: Deep to EO and superficial to IO; often seen as a dark banded muscle, typically the thickest of the three.
• Transversus abdominis: Deepest and often the thinnest
• T6-T11 thoracic/intercostal nerves: Travels along intercostal spaces before entering the TAP plane
• Thoracic Nerve T12: Gives a communicating branch to L1 as part of the lumbar plexus
• Ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves (T12/L1): Supplies the skin over hypogastrium, upper thigh, inguinal canal, and scrotum/base of penis

Due to the indistinct innervation and lack of visible large neural bundles, this is an interfascial block, dependent on volume and spread of local anesthetic to be successful. 

Clinical Applications

This bloks is often used as part of a multimodal analgesia regimen for various abdominal surgical cases. With the classic approach, most studies show coverage from T10-L1.^[7]  

Examples include:^[8-11]

• Hernia repair
• Total abdominal hysterectomy
• Cesarean section            
• Exploratory laparotomy

Higher levels of coverage for upper abdominal surgery can be obtained with subcostal TAP and rectus sheath blocks.

TAP blocks and variations are typically done under general anesthesia, either prior to incision or immediately after completion of procedure.

General Preparation

• Patient monitoring
• Ultrasound machine with high frequency linear probe
• Antiseptic skin preparation, sterile gloves, mask, etc
• Short bevel block needle (50 to 100 mm in length)
• Local anesthetic, typically ropivacaine or bupivacaine, approximately 20 cc per side to be blocked
• Full resuscitation equipment including lipid emulsion

Landmark Technique

The landmark technique (double pop technique) described by Rafi requires understanding of surface and internal anatomy. The triangle of Petit (Figure 1) is identified by palpating the pelvic rim at the mid-axillary line. The iliac crest forms the inferior border of the triangle. The anterior border is formed by the lateral edge of the external oblique muscle. The posterior border is formed by the lateral edge of the latissimus dorsi muscle.^[4]

With the patient in a supine neutral position and appropriate identification of the borders and appropriate prep/drape, a short bevel regional block needle is inserted perpendicularly to the skin. After piercing the skin, two pops are felt. The first is through the fascial extension of the external oblique, the second is through the fascial extension of the internal oblique. After negative aspiration, local anesthetic is injected.

The triangle of Petit can be difficult to palpate, particularly in obese patients.

Ultrasound-Guided Technique

With the advent of ultrasound, TAP blocks can be done quickly and reliably. As with the landmark technique, the patient is positioned in the supine position.

The ultrasound probe is placed in a transverse orientation along the anterior axillary line between the subcostal margin and the iliac crest. This will allow visualization of the three abdominal wall muscles (external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis) along with deeper structures including peritoneum and viscera.

 

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Figure 2. Transversus abdominis plane blocks

 

© American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine

Possible Complications and Contraindications

Complications:

• Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST)
• Intraperitoneal/bowel penetration
• Hepatic injury
• Allergic reaction

Contraindications:          

• Patient refusal
• Local anesthetic allergy
• Infection over injection site
• Surgery at injection site (relative contraindication)

 

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Figure 3. Diagram of proposed TAP zones, upper subcostal (USC), lower subcostal (LSC), lateral (LAT), Posterior (POST) and Ilio-inguinal (II)

 

Reprinted with permission from Hebbard P. TAP block nomenclature. Anaesthesia. 2015;70(1):112-3.

 

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Variations

Variations of truncal blocks to cover upper abdominal regions include the subcostal TAP, rectus sheath, and quadratus lumborum blocks. (See Figure 3.)

Originally described by Hebbard in 2008^[12], the oblique subcostal TAP block provides analgesia for upper abdominal surgery including cholecystectomy and supra-umbilical hernia repair. A sonogenic needle is introduced near the xiphoid from medial to lateral orientation with local anesthetic deposited between the transversus abdominis and rectus abdominis muscles. The original article describes advancing the needle inferolaterally to provide optimal coverage of multiple intercostal segments.

Rectus sheath blocks were first described in 1899^[13] as a way to provide muscle relaxation and analgesia to the terminal branches innervating the rectus abdominis muscle. While this first description was blind and landmark based, routinely available ultrasound technology has allowed for a reliable and safe way to provide analgesia for somatic pain over the anterior abdominal midline. The block is typically done in a short axis in-plane approach to allow for visualization of the rectus muscle belly and underlying fascial layer with deposition of local anesthetic just deep to the rectus muscle but superficial to the posterior aspect of the rectus sheath.    

Please see  “How I Do It: Ultrasound-Guided Bilateral Rectus Sheath Blocks" from ASRA News, November 2014, pp. 5-8,22, for further detailed explanation.

Quadratus lumborum blocks were first described at the European Society of Regional Anesthesia (ESRA) in 2007. Since then, there has been an explosion of new techniques, approaches, and data for the use of the various QL blocks for visceral and somatic pain.

Please see the "Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block: How Do I Do It?" from ASRA News, November 2015, pp. 34-40.

References

1. Jankovic Z. Transversus abdominis plane block: The Holy Grail of anaesthesia for (lower) abdominal surgery. Periodicum Biologorum. 2009;111(2):203-8.
2. Abdallah F, Chan WV, Brull R. Transversus abdominis plane block: A systemic review. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2012;37: 193-209. 
3. Johns N, O'Neill S, Ventham NT, Barron F, Brady RR, Daniel T. Clinical effectiveness of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in abdominal surgery: A systemic review and meta-analysis. Colorectal Dis. 2012;14(10):e635-42.
4. Rafi AN. Abdominal field block: A new approach via the lumbar triangle. Anaesthesia. 2001;56:1024-6.
5. Hebbard P, Fujiwara Y, Shibata Y, Foyse C Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block. Anaesth Intensive Care. 2007; 35(4):616-7.
6. Hebbard P et al. Ultrasound guided transversus abdominis plane block. Anaesthesia & Intensive Care. 2007;35(4): 616-7.
7. 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. Anaesth Analg. 2007; 104:193-7.
8. Venkatraman R, Abhinaya RJ, Sakthivel A, Sivarajan G. Efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair. Local Reg Anesth. 2016;18(9):7-12.
9. Carney J, McDonnell JG, Ochana A, Bhinder R, Laffey JG. The transversus abdominis plane block provides effective postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy. Anesth Analg. 2008;107(6):2056-60.
10. Mankikar MG, Sardesai SP, Ghodki PS. Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block for post-operative analgesia in patients undergoing caesarean section. Indian J Anaesth. 2016;60(4):253-7.
11. Vuong JT, McQuillan PM, Messaris E, Adhikary SD. Transversus abdominis plane block as the primary anesthetic for laparotomy. J Anaesthiol Clin Pharmacol. 2014; 30(3):419-21.
12. Hebbard P. Subcostal transversus abdominis plane block under ultrasound guidance [letter to the editor]. Anesth Analg. 2008;106:674-675.
13. Schleich CL. Schmerzlose Operationen, 4th ed. Berlin: Springer Verlag; 1899.