Subarachnoid block and ultrasound-guided transversalis fascia plane block for caesarean section: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND After caesarean section, maternal postoperative comfort is critical to allow the new mother to care for her baby. Insufficient pain relief during the postoperative period may delay maternal/infant bonding and, in addition, such pain has been linked to subsequent depression and chronic pain. Caesarean section is commonly performed with a Pfannenstiel incision, and a transversalis fascia plane (TFP) block provides postoperative analgesia in the T12 and L1 dermatomes. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the TFP block on postoperative opioid consumption and pain scores in patients undergoing caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. DESIGN A randomised controlled, double-blind study. SETTINGS Single-centre, academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS Sixty patients undergoing caesarean section. INTERVENTIONS The TFP group (n = 30) received an ultrasound-guided bilateral TFP block with 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine. The control group (n = 30) received 20 ml of saline bilaterally. Postoperative analgesia was given every 6 h with intravenous paracetamol 1 g and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Postoperative visual analogue pain scores, morphine consumption, rescue analgesia and opioid-related side effects were evaluated. RESULTS In the TFP group, the visual analogue pain scores were significantly lower at rest for 2 h after the operation (P = 0.011) and during active movement at 2, 4 and 8 h postoperatively (P = 0.014, <0.001 and 0.032, respectively). Morphine consumption in the first 24 h after surgery was significantly higher in the control group compared with the TFP group (38.5 +/- 11.63 and 19.5 +/- 8.33 mg, respectively;P < 0.001). The incidence of postoperative nausea and constipation were statistically higher in the control group than in the TFP group (P < 0.05). Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the TFP group (P = 0.027). CONCLUSION A postoperative TFP block can reduce opioid consumption and relieve acute pain after a caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.