Trial Information

Post Operative Analgesia Using the Transverse Abdominal Plan (TAP) Block in Patients Undergoing a Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy (RRP)

Our current post operative analgesic strategy involves a multi-modal approach, using local
injectable anesthetic around the incision and systemic medications (i.e. non-steroidal
anti-inflammatories, acetaminophen and break-through doses of opiates). As the amount of
opiates used can be significant, we have to be aware of their inherent risks. Opiates have
an excellent pain control profile, working peripherally by decreasing the amount of
neurotransmitters released from neurons involving noxious stimuli, and also in their central
processing. Some of the more common adverse reactions are reparatory depression, sedation,
confusion, delirium, nausea, pruritis, constipation, hypotension and bradycardia. Often it
is these resulting side effects that extend the length of in hospital rehabilitation, and
decrease a patient's overall satisfaction.

Thus we propose the use of a relatively new regional anesthetic technique be employed to
further decrease the need for opiates in our prostatectomy patients' post-op course, while
adequately controlling their pain.