Volume 13 Issue 11
Comparison between the Effect of Laparoscopic-Assisted TAP Block and Port Site Local Infiltration on Postoperative Pain Scores after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Submission: 02 October 2025 | Acceptance: 20 October 2025 | Publication: 06 November 2025
Dr. Umair Maqsood¹, Dr. Sajid Razzaq2, Dr. Salma Ghaffar3, Dr. Sarmad Younas4, Dr. Yasir Qayyum5, Dr. Sarkhail Ahmad6
¹ Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalakot, Pakistan
2 Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalakot, Pakistan
3Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalakot, Pakistan
4 Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalakot, Pakistan
5 Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalakot, Pakistan
6 Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, Pakistan
ABSTRACT
Background: Success in postoperative pain management after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an important determinant for early ambulation, patient satisfaction, and decreased hospital stay. Out of the various regional anesthetic methods, the two most commonly practiced are trans versus abdominis plane (TAP) block and port site local infiltration.
Objective: To determine the effectiveness of laparoscopic-assisted TAP block and port site local infiltration in minimizing postoperative pain scores in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Methods: Randomized controlled trial was conducted on 100 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of equal size: Group A (TAP block) was given laparoscopic-assisted TAP block with 0.25% bupivacaine and Group B (Local Infiltration) was given port site infiltration with the same medication. Pain was measured on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery.
Results: VAS scores at all the postoperative times for the TAP block group were less compared to the local infiltration group (p < 0.05). Rescue analgesia was also decreased in Group A. Nausea, vomiting, or any other postoperative morbidity was not significantly different.
Conclusion: TAP block with the help of laparoscopy is more effective and of longer duration in relieving postoperative pain than port site local infiltration in patients having laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Keywords: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, TAP block, infiltration localement, doulure postoperatoire, bupivacaine, anesthesia regional.
