Anterior Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Lower Extremity Revascularization

Introduction: Regional anesthesia remains underutilized in vascular surgery; therefore, we retrospectively reviewed and compared the usage of perioperative opioids in patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization surgery, who received the anterior transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block along with local anesthesia at the incision site versus who did not receive any regional anesthesia.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 107 patients undergoing open or hybrid lower extremity revascularization under general anesthesia at a single institution between 2017 and 2022. Patients were divided into two groups. Regional block group (n = 41 [38%]) (femoral endarterectomy 27%; femoral endarterectomy + endovascular intervention 51%; infrainguinal bypass 22%) received both an intraoperative anterior TAP block and local anesthesia at the incision site; No regional block group (n = 66 [62%]) (femoral endarterectomy 29%; femoral endarterectomy + endovascular intervention 13%; infrainguinal bypass 58%) did not receive either regional or local anesthesia.

Results: There were no significant differences in either the procedural metrics or intraprocedural complications between the two groups. The in-hospital stay was shorter in the Regional group, 1 (1, 3) versus the No regional group, 3 (2, 7), P < 0.001. The median intraoperative morphine milliequivalents use was 20 (15, 25) in the Regional block group and 25 (20, 35) in the No regional block group, P = 0.008. The median postoperative opioids use at 24h was 75 (60, 98) in the Regional block group and 113 (83, 151) in the No regional block group, P < 0.001; at 48h was 103 (70, 118) in the Regional block group and 148 (90, 210) in the No regional block group, P = 0.027; at 72h was 105 (70, 138) in the Regional block group and 196 (113, 263) in the No regional block group, P = 0.010.

Conclusions: Anterior TAP block combined with local anesthesia at the incision site seems to be a safe postoperative analgesia option for patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization surgery that could potentially help reducing both intra and postoperative opioids requirement.