title: Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block: a useful adjunct in the management of postoperative respiratory failure.
abstract: The ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a useful tool in controlling postoperative pain following abdominal surgery. The bilateral ultrasound-guided TAP blocks successfully managed the pain of a patient presenting with hypoxemia and respiratory failure in the Post-anesthesia Care Unit, following a laparotomy for small bowel obstruction during general anesthesia. The TAP block reduced systemic opioid requirements and opioid-induced sedation and respiratory depression, improved patient compliance with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, and prevented the need for intubation and ventilation in the intensive care unit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, Univeristy of Toronto, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Mandeep
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Ki Jinn
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*