TITLE:
Timing of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block (TAP) for Pain Control after Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (LRP)
AUTHORS:
Tarek Taha, Jeffry Mattar, Mubarak Dahamshy, Avram Ami Sidi, Alexander Tsivian
KEYWORDS:
Pain Control, TAP Block, Radical Prostatectomy
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Urology,
Vol.16 No.9,
September
11,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Efficient post-operative pain management has an important role in facilitating rapid patient’s recovery. We routinely apply TAP block for pain control following LRP. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of timing of TAP block and its influence on pain and analgesics consumed postoperatively. Materials and Methods: Data of men who underwent extra peritoneal LRP and received bilateral TAP block at the beginning versus at the completion of the surgery (Lidocaine 1% 10 mL and bupivacaine. 0.5% 10 mL on each side) were analyzed. Data compared included pain intensity using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and analgesics consumption. Data of patient who underwent intraperitoneal LRP were excluded. Results: A total of 60 patients were included, 30 received bilateral pre-operative TAP block, prior to the trocar incision (group 1), and 30 received bilateral post-operative TAP block after completion of the surgery (group 2). Pain intensity (median) on postoperative day (POD) 1, was lower in group 1 compared to group 2 (P = 0.0087). On POD2, VAS was similar in both groups (P = 0.199). Analgesics consumption (number of doses given) on POD1 was lower in groups 1 compared to group 2 (P = 0.0212). On POD2 there was no difference between both groups (0.3925). No one required opioids for pain management. Conclusion: Bilateral pre-operative TAP block reduces pain intensity and analgesics consumption compared to post-operative TAP block after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.