TAP Block Efficacy After Lumbar Spine Surgery Through Anterior Approach: a Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2017-04-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) as well as Direct Lateral Interbody Fusion (DLIF) are
established techniques for lumbar interbody fusion. In contrast with posterior approaches,
they allow free approach to the anterior disc space without opening of the spinal canal or
the neural foramina. However, the additional anterior approach conveys specific concerns,
including abdominal pain that may delay recovery after surgery. The transversus abdominis
plane (TAP) block is a validated approach for postoperative pain relief following abdominal
surgeries. There is currently no evidence of the possible benefits of TAP block as part of
multimodal pain management after ALIF/DLIF surgery. The investigator hypothesize that a
single-injection TAP block reduces opioid consumption after anterior lumbar fusion surgery.
The main goal of this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is to
demonstrate a >35% reduction in opioid consumption during the 24h following ALIF/DLIF
surgery.