Efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block for gastric surgery: a meta-analysis

Abstract Background Multimodal analgesia is an important component of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block helps achieve this pain management in various types of surgeries. To evaluate the efficacy of TAP block versus non-TAP approaches for postoperative pa...

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Main Authors: Hao Zhang, Hong Pan, Xiaodong Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Anesthesiology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-025-03097-9
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author Hao Zhang
Hong Pan
Xiaodong Chen
author_facet Hao Zhang
Hong Pan
Xiaodong Chen
author_sort Hao Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Multimodal analgesia is an important component of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block helps achieve this pain management in various types of surgeries. To evaluate the efficacy of TAP block versus non-TAP approaches for postoperative pain management and recovery after gastric surgery. Methods A systematic literature search across four databases (Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, PubMed) until February 2024 identified relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating TAP block in gastric surgery. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed analyses. Primary outcome: postoperative pain scores. Secondary outcomes: postoperative opioid consumption, hospital stay, time to ambulation, and time to flatus. Results Twelve RCTs involving 841 participants were included. Compared to non-TAP, the TAP group demonstrated significantly lower visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively (WMD range: -0.62 to -0.97). Time to first ambulation (SMD − 0.46; 95% CI: -0.92, 0.00) and first flatus (WMD − 5.17; 95% CI: -8.58, -1.77) were shorter in the TAP group. Postoperative opioid consumption was reduced with TAP (WMD − 1.89; 95% CI: -2.41, -1.37), with no difference in hospital stay between groups. Conclusion TAP block effectively relieves pain after gastric surgery, decreases postoperative morphine requirements, and modestly shortens bed rest duration while promoting intestinal function recovery. However, it does not significantly affect the overall hospital length of stay.
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spelling doaj-art-2e19831ea9fb489188032e9b7c536cd52025-08-20T02:55:29ZengBMCBMC Anesthesiology1471-22532025-05-0125111010.1186/s12871-025-03097-9Efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block for gastric surgery: a meta-analysisHao Zhang0Hong Pan1Xiaodong Chen2Department of general surgery, Chongqing Western HospitalDepartment of general surgery, Chongqing Western HospitalDepartment of general surgery, Chongqing Western HospitalAbstract Background Multimodal analgesia is an important component of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block helps achieve this pain management in various types of surgeries. To evaluate the efficacy of TAP block versus non-TAP approaches for postoperative pain management and recovery after gastric surgery. Methods A systematic literature search across four databases (Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, PubMed) until February 2024 identified relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating TAP block in gastric surgery. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed analyses. Primary outcome: postoperative pain scores. Secondary outcomes: postoperative opioid consumption, hospital stay, time to ambulation, and time to flatus. Results Twelve RCTs involving 841 participants were included. Compared to non-TAP, the TAP group demonstrated significantly lower visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively (WMD range: -0.62 to -0.97). Time to first ambulation (SMD − 0.46; 95% CI: -0.92, 0.00) and first flatus (WMD − 5.17; 95% CI: -8.58, -1.77) were shorter in the TAP group. Postoperative opioid consumption was reduced with TAP (WMD − 1.89; 95% CI: -2.41, -1.37), with no difference in hospital stay between groups. Conclusion TAP block effectively relieves pain after gastric surgery, decreases postoperative morphine requirements, and modestly shortens bed rest duration while promoting intestinal function recovery. However, it does not significantly affect the overall hospital length of stay.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-025-03097-9Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blockGastric surgeryPostoperative pain scoresOpioid consumptionAmbulation
spellingShingle Hao Zhang
Hong Pan
Xiaodong Chen
Efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block for gastric surgery: a meta-analysis
BMC Anesthesiology
Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block
Gastric surgery
Postoperative pain scores
Opioid consumption
Ambulation
title Efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block for gastric surgery: a meta-analysis
title_full Efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block for gastric surgery: a meta-analysis
title_fullStr Efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block for gastric surgery: a meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block for gastric surgery: a meta-analysis
title_short Efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block for gastric surgery: a meta-analysis
title_sort efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block for gastric surgery a meta analysis
topic Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block
Gastric surgery
Postoperative pain scores
Opioid consumption
Ambulation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-025-03097-9
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AT hongpan efficacyoftransversusabdominisplaneblockforgastricsurgeryametaanalysis
AT xiaodongchen efficacyoftransversusabdominisplaneblockforgastricsurgeryametaanalysis