Journal article
Association of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block on pain scores and length of stay for patients who underwent abdominal myomectomy
Proceedings in obstetrics and gynecology, Vol.14(1), 2
01/20/2026
DOI: 10.17077/2154-4751.35036
Abstract
Background: TAP blocks are often used in the setting of abdominal myomectomy yet with insufficient evidence of its efficacy. Our aim was to compare outcomes of postoperative pain and length of hospital stay following abdominal myomectomy with and without transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed with patients from a single academic institution who underwent abdominal myomectomy with or without TAP block with 10 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine mixed with 10 ml of 1.33% liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel™) between April 2022 and February 2024. The primary outcomes were median pain score on postoperative day 1 (POD#1) and duration of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes included pain medications administered on POD#1, total nausea or/and vomiting (N/V) events, and rate of postoperative complications.
Results: After initially identifying 109 patients, 67 patients met the inclusion criteria of undergoing abdominal myomectomy between April 2022 and February 2024. Most patients self-identified as Black race (no Tap-48%, TAP-45%), and underwent a Pfannenstiel incision (no TAP-70% and TAP-71%). There were no statistically significant differences in patient characteristics between groups. The median pain score reported as numerical rating scale (NRS 1-10) [Interquartile range-IQR] on POD#1 was similar between groups (NRS– No TAP- 4 [3 – 5], TAP-3.5 [3 – 5.5], p=0.90). Length of stay was two days [IQR)] (no TAP-2 [1 – 2], TAP-2 [1 – 3], p=0.35). Nausea and/or vomiting events were comparable (no TAP-0 [0 – 3], TAP-0.5 [0 – 2.0] events, p=0.75). Complication rate was similar between groups (no TAP- 35%, TAP-29%, p=0.84) with no difference in type of complication. Ketorolac was administered to more patients in the TAP group (no TAP-35%, TAP-67%, p=0.03), yet the total mean dose given to patients who received Ketorolac did not differ between groups (no TAP- 46.00 ± 18.34, TAP-57.19 ± 16.63 mg, p=0.09). Additionally, the total dose of opioids +/- SD based on total morphine oral dosing (morphine equivalent dosing-MED) was similar between groups (no TAP-37.14 ± 53.55, TAP-32.56 ± 53.55, p=0.71).
Conclusion: Compared to women with no TAP block, there was no improvement in postoperative pain scores, or reduction in length hospital stay for those who had TAP block for abdominal myomectomy.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Association of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block on pain scores and length of stay for patients who underwent abdominal myomectomy
- Creators
- Prapti SinghHaley A SteffenKaren SummersRakesh SondekoppamAnita ChazhikattuAbey Eapen
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Proceedings in obstetrics and gynecology, Vol.14(1), 2
- DOI
- 10.17077/2154-4751.35036
- ISSN
- 2154-4751
- eISSN
- 2154-4751
- Publisher
- University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/20/2026
- Academic Unit
- Anesthesia; Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Record Identifier
- 9985130240302771
Metrics
1 Record Views