title: A meta-analysis on the clinical effectiveness of transversus abdominis plane block.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the efficacy of the transversus abdominal plane (TAP) block.
  
  
  METHODS
  Meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  District general hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  86 patients in the TAP block group and 88 in the non-TAP block group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Statistical analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel 2007 for Windows XP. Hedges g statistic was used for the calculation of standardized mean differences (SMD). Binary data (nausea) were summarized as risk ratios (RR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with TAP block required less morphine after 24 hours than those who did not have the block (random effects model: SMD -4.81, 95% CI [-7.45, -2.17], z = -3.57, P < 0.001). There was less time to first request of morphine in the non-TAP block group (random effects model: SMD 4.80, 95% CI [2.16, 7.43], z = 3.57, P < 0.001). Patients in the TAP block group had less pain up to 24 hours postoperatively. No statistical differences were found with respect to nausea.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TAP block reduces the need for postoperative opioid use, it increases the time first request for further analgesia, it provides more effective pain relief, and it reduces opioid-associated side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, Worthing Hospital, West Sussex BN112DH, UK. md0u812a@mac.com
authors.forename: Muhammed Rafay Sameem
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: Muhammed S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Sajid
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Uncles
authors.forename: Liz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cheek
authors.forename: Mirza K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Baig
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000698:Analgesia; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007813:Laparotomy; D009020:Morphine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009407:Nerve Block; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000453:epidemiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D009020:Morphine