Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Case Reports
Transversus abdominis plane blocks for rescue analgesia following Cesarean delivery: a case series.
The role of routine transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks at the time of surgery for Cesarean delivery analgesia is uncertain. Previous studies have shown no additional analgesic benefit in patients receiving intrathecal morphine. We present a series of three cases where TAP blocks were used for rescue analgesia in patients who had severe post-Cesarean delivery pain after a standard spinal anesthetic containing bupivacaine 12 mg, fentanyl 10 μg, and morphine 200 μg. ⋯ These cases show that TAP blocks may play a valuable role as a rescue analgesic technique rather than as a routine preemptive block for all Cesarean delivery patients. Use of TAP blocks reduced the need for escalating intravenous opioid doses and potential maternal opioid-related side effects. Rescue TAP blocks should be considered after Cesarean delivery when intrathecal morphine does not provide adequate pain relief or for early breakthrough pain after offset of spinal anesthesia.