Subcostal TAP Block For Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a minimally- invasive procedure for removing kidney stones. The small incision of PCNL is performed medially from the posterior axillary line according to stones location. Despite the small skin incision patients suffer from postoperative pain due to visceral pain and intercostal nerve injury. The aim of this study is to evaluate the perioperative analgesic effect of subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block performed prior to PCNL procedure. Primary outcome of our study was Morphine consumption at 48th hour after the surgery. Secondary outcomes were perioperative fentanyl consumption; postoperative Verbal Analog Scale and additional analgesic drug requirement.

Patients who were scheduled for elective percutaneous nephrolithotomy were randomized into two groups: Group TAP and Group IV. General anesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg/kg, fentanyl 1 mcgr/kg and rocuronium 0,6 mg/kg and maintained with sevoflurane 2% in 40%:60% oxygen/air mixture and fentanyl 0,5 mcgr/kg and rocuronium 10 mg, if necessary. Unilateral Transversus abdominis plane block was performed with total of 30 ml volume of local anesthetic solution (20ml Bupivacaine 0,125% and 10ml Lidocaine 1%) after intubation but before surgery to the Group TAP patients. Paracetamol 1 gr, iv was given to the Group IV 20 minutes before the end of the surgery. Also 100mg Tramadol,iv was administered 20 minutes before the end of the surgery to the both groups. Morphine iv patient controlled analgesia was applied to both groups. Perioperative fentanyl consumption; postoperative Verbal Analog Scale, morphine consumption and additional analgesic drug requirement were determined. Data of perioperative complications and adverse effects were also collected. Chi square with Yates correction and Mann Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis.