Transversus abdominis plane block as a sole anesthetic technique for evacuation of rectus abdominis muscle hematoma - A case report -

BACKGROUND: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks have been used for analgesia in various abdominal surgeries. However, a TAP block as the sole anesthetic method for surgery has rarely been reported. CASE: A 33-year-old breastfeeding primipara woman was admitted to the hospital due to a rectus abdominis muscle hematoma. Because the patient refused other anesthetic methods, evacuation of the hematoma was performed under an ultrasound-guided bilateral TAP block. A 23-gauge needle was inserted in an in-plane method using a linear ultrasound probe. An injection of 10 ml of 2% lidocaine was made to the right lateral TAP and the left lateral TAP. After confirming the sensory blockade of the T10 to T12 dermatomes, surgery was performed successfully. The patient’s condition stabilized during the surgery. Breastfeeding was performed on the day of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The evacuation of an abdominal wall hematoma in a breastfeeding patient was successfully performed under a bilateral TAP block.