Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Versus Rectus Sheath Block for Postoperative Pain After Caesarean Delivery: A Randomised Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative analgesia in caesarean deliveries is becoming increasingly important, since early bonding between mother and infant can be established with effective postoperative analgesia while preventing the unpleasant effects of pain. Additionally, inadequate postoperative analgesia is associated with chronic pain and postpartum depression. The primary objective of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of transversus abdominis plane block and rectus sheath block in patients undergoing elective caesarean delivery. METHODS: A total of 90 parturients with American Society of Anesthesia status I-II, aged 18-45 years, at >37 gestational weeks, and scheduled for elective caesarean delivery were included in the study. All patients received spinal anaesthesia. Parturients were randomised into 3 groups. Bilateral ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block was performed on the transversus abdominis plane group, bilateral ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block on the rectus sheath group, and no block on the control group. All patients were given intravenous morphine through a patient-controlled analgesia device. A pain nurse, blinded to the study, recorded the cumulative morphine consumption and pain scores during resting and coughing using a numerical rating scale at postoperative hours 1, 6, 12, and 24. RESULTS: Numerical rating scale values recorded during rest and coughing were lower in the transversus abdominis plane group at postoperative hours 2, 3, 6, 12, and 24 (P < .05). Morphine consumption was lower in the transversus abdominis plane group at postoperative hours 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, and 24 (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Transversus abdominis plane block provides effective postoperative analgesia in parturients. However, rectus sheath block provides inadequate postoperative analgesia in parturients who undergo caesarean delivery.