Effect of the transversus abdominis plane block on postoperative pain and recovery in patients with hepatic echinococcosis.

Objectives Hepatic echinococcosis (HE) is a severe parasitic disease that occurs worldwide, and radical surgery is the recommended therapy. This study was performed to investigate the efficacy of using a transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block during surgery on postoperative pain and recovery of patients with HE under the guidelines of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol. Methods Fifty-eight patients from the Tibetan plateau who underwent surgery for treatment of HE by the same surgeons under the guidance of ERAS were included in the present study. A TAP block was conducted before closing the abdominal cavity. Results The consumption of sufentanil was significantly lower in patients of the TAP than control group. Patients had a significantly shorter time to first flatus in the TAP than control group. Other parameters showed no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions Use of the TAP block could reduce the consumption of analgesic medication and promote recovery of patients from the Tibetan plateau under the guidance of an ERAS protocol.