The Effect of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia using transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a newer and safer method that can be used in patients undergoing liver transplant surgeries. This systematic review and meta-analysis was done to quantify the analgesic potential and opioid-sparing capability of TAP block in these patients.
METHODS: The studies comparing TAP-block to conventional analgesic regimens for liver transplant were searched. The studies evaluating the comparative 24-h morphine consumption during postoperative period in patients undergoing liver transplant surgeries were searched and included as the primary outcome in the analysis.
RESULTS: We found two randomised controlled trials and two retrospective studies that on meta-analysis showed that TAP block group had significantly lower requirement of morphine (WMD=27.59 mg; 95% CI: 33.47-21.70) at 24 h for pain mitigation. Also, postoperative nausea and vomiting was lower (RR=0.76; 95% CI: 0.47-1.22) but not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided TAP block provides postoperative analgesic efficacy in patients undergoing liver transplant surgeries. This study was registered in International prospective register of systematic reviews [PROSPERO: CRD42018094595]. © Copyright 2019 by Turkish Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Society.