Ultrasound guided-transabdominal plane block (UG-TAPB) reduces pain, opioid consumption and PONV, and is associated with faster recovery for patients undergoing bariatric surgery: a retrospective analysis in a high-volume Italian center

Ultrasound-guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block (UG-TAPB) reduces post-operative pain better than i.v. painkillers in patients operated with laparoscopic surgery. This study aims to compare the postoperative course of patients undergoing bariatric surgery treated with UG-TABP to that of patients treated with standard analgesic therapy. We retrospectively analyzed patients who have undergone bariatric surgery from November 2021 to April 2023, comparing patients treated with UG-TAPB (Group A) with patients treated with standard i.v. analgesic therapy (Group B). Post-operative numeric-pain rating scale (NRS), nausea and vomiting (PONV), opioid and antiemetic consumption were compared between the two groups until postoperative day (POD) 2. 41 patients underwent bariatric surgery in the aforementioned period. 11 patients were included in group A, whereas 30 patients were included in group B. The two groups were homogeneous for age, BMI, surgery type and comorbidities. Females were more common in Group B (64% vs. 80%; p = 0.019). NRS was significantly lower in Group A than Group B from POD0 to POD2 (3.8 ± 1.2 vs. 6.1 ± 2; p = 0.001 and 1.1 ± 0.3 vs. 3.1 ± 1.3; p < 0.001 after surgery and on POD2 8 pm, respectively). On POD 0, opioid consumption (9% vs. 57%; p = 0.011 and 9% vs. 47%; p = 0.033 after surgery and at 8 pm, respectively), PONV (27% vs. 90%; p < 0.001 and 9% vs. 57%; p = 0.011) and antiemetic consumption (36% vs. 90%; p = 0.001 and 9% vs. 53%; p = 0.014) were higher in Group B. Patients in Group A can be discharged earlier than patients in Group B (1.45 ± 0.82 vs. 2.67 ± 1.39 days; p = 0.005). UG-TAPB is associated with a better and faster recovery after bariatric surgery and should be considered in ERABS.