Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block

Abstract

The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is used to produce a dermatomal sensory block of the lower thoracic and upper lumbar afferents. With ultrasound imaging, the muscle layers are visible from the rectus medially through the aponeurotic area at the edge of the rectus to the three distinct layers of external, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis in the lateral abdominal wall. Installation of local anesthetics in this plane anesthetizes the anterior abdominal wall on this side. This block can be used as a diagnostic tool or as a therapeutic modality via a continuous indwelling catheter for postoperative lower abdominal pain or chronic pain syndromes arising from the anterior abdominal wall. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.