TAP Block Catheters vs Liposomal Bupivacaine for Pain Control After Colorectal Surgery

This is a prospective randomized study designed to compare the pain control from a single shot of liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel) against transversus abominus plane (TAP) catheters with ropivicaine bolus in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.

At UC Davis, it is standard practice to place TAP blocks with catheters for adult colorectal surgery patients for perioperative pain control. This practice, however, is resource intensive, adds the risk of catheter-related complications, and adds increased burden to patients by requiring them to be tethered to 2 catheters. An alternative TAP can be performed using a single shot of liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel), an extended release local anesthetic that is FDA-approved for surgical plane infiltration including TAP blocks. With this prospective study, we seek to improve patient care at UC Davis and educate other institutions through the use of concrete data comparing these 2 treatment options.