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Comparison of M-TAPA Block and Intraperitoneal Analgesia in Postoperative Pain Management After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 3, 352 - 359, 22.12.2025
https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1686610

Abstract

Purpose: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure offering reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery. Despite these benefits, pain from tissue trauma, pneumoperitoneum, and gallbladder removal remains significant. This study compares the analgesic efficacy of the Modified Thoracoabdominal Nerve Block via Perichondrial Approach (M-TAPA) and intraperitoneal bupivacaine with or without dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing LC.

Materials and Methods: This prospective, randomized, single-blind trial included 60 ASA I/II patients undergoing elective LC under general anesthesia. Patients were divided into three groups: M-TAPA block (Group M), intraperitoneal bupivacaine (Group B), and intraperitoneal bupivacaine plus dexmedetomidine (Group BD). Postoperative pain was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at six-hour intervals for 24 hours. Secondary outcomes included rescue analgesic requirements and side effects. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Bonferroni post hoc tests.

Results: Group BD and Group M showed significantly lower NRS scores compared to Group B (p<0.05), with no statistical difference between Group BD and Group M. None of the patients required rescue analgesics. Bradycardia and hypotension were observed in two patients in Group BD but resolved with atropine. Group M achieved effective analgesia without side effects.

Conclusion: M-TAPA block and intraperitoneal bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine provide comparable analgesia after LC. The MTAPA block is a safe and effective alternative with fewer side effects, making it a favorable option for postoperative pain management in LC patients.

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Cumhuriyet University (dated March 26, 2024, decision number 2024-03/10).

References

  • 1. Khaitan L, Apelgren K, Hunter J, Traverso LW. A report on the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Outcomes Initiative: what have we learned and what is its potential? Surg Endosc. 2003;17(3):365–370.
  • 2. Zacks SL, Sandler RS, Rutledge R, Brown RS. A population-based cohort study comparing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open cholecystectomy. Am J Gastroenterol. 2002;97(2):334–340.
  • 3. Bisgaard T, Kehlet H, Rosenberg J. Pain and convalescence after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Eur J Surg. 2001;167(2):84–96.
  • 4. Jiang B, Ye S. Pharmacotherapeutic pain management in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A review. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2022;31(11):1275–1288.
  • 5. Sandhya S, Puthenveettil N, Vinodan K. Intraperitoneal nebulization of ropivacaine for control of pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized control trial. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2021;37(3):443–448.
  • 6. Sharan R, Singh M, Kataria A, Jyoti K, Jarewal V, Kadian R. Intraperitoneal instillation of bupivacaine and ropivacaine for postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Anesth Essays Res. 2018;12(2):377.
  • 7. Liu H, Hu X, Duan X, Wu J. Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) vs patient controlled analgesia (PCA) in laparoscopic colectomy: a meta-analysis. Hepatogastroenterology. 2014;61(133):1213–1219.
  • 8. Alsharari AF, Abuadas FH, Alnassrallah YS, Salihu D. Transversus Abdominis Plane Block as a strategy for effective pain management in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review. J Clin Med. 2022;11(23):6896.
  • 9. Avci O, Gundogdu O, Balci F, Tekcan MN. Effects of modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through perichondrial approach on postoperative pain and analgesic consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2024;34(1):5–10.
  • 10. Donatsky AM, Bjerrum F, Gögenur I. Surgical techniques to minimize shoulder pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review. Surg Endosc. 2013;27(7):2275–2282.
  • 11. Tulgar S, Selvi O, Thomas DT, Deveci U, Özer Z. Modified thoracoabdominal nerves block through perichondrial approach (M-TAPA) provides effective analgesia in abdominal surgery and is a choice for opioid-sparing anesthesia. J Clin Anesth. 2019;55:109.
  • 12. Panda A, Das M, Dhatri D, Satapathy GC. Efficacy of intraperitoneal 0.2% ropivacaine with dexmedetomidine versus 0.2% ropivacaine with ketamine in laparoscopic surgeries: A randomized controlled trial. Cureus. 2023;15(4):38035.
  • 13. Nicácio IP, Stelle ABF, Bruno TS, Nicácio GM, Costa JS, Cassu RN. Comparison of intraperitoneal ropivacaine and ropivacaine–dexmedetomidine for postoperative analgesia in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2020;47(3):396–404.
  • 14. Petersen PL, Stjernholm P, Kristiansen VB, et al. The beneficial effect of transversus abdominis plane block after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in day-case surgery. Anesth Analg. 2012;115(3):527–533.
  • 15. Dautzenberg KHW, Zegers MJ, Bleeker CP, et al. Unpredictable injectate spread of the erector spinae plane block in human cadavers. Anesth Analg. 2019;129(5):163–166.
  • 16. Bourgeois C, Oyaert L, Van de Velde M, et al. Pain management after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review and procedure-specific postoperative pain management (PROSPECT) recommendations. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2024;41(11):841–855.
  • 17. Bilge A, Başaran B, Et T, et al. Ultrasound-guided bilateral modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through a perichondrial approach (M-TAPA) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized double-blind controlled trial. BMC Anesthesiol. 2022;22(1):1–9.
  • 18. Güngör H, Ciftci B, Alver S, Gölboyu BE, Ozdenkaya Y, Tulgar S. Modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through perichondrial approach (M-TAPA) vs local infiltration for pain management after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery: A randomized study. J Anesth. 2023;37(2):254–260.
  • 19. Kaur R, Seal A, Lemech I, Fisher OM, Williams N. Intraperitoneal instillation of local anesthetic (IPILA) in bariatric surgery and the effect on postoperative pain scores: A randomized control trial. Obes Surg. 2022;32(7):2349–2356.
  • 20. MacFater WS, Xia W, Barazanchi AWH, et al. Intravenous local anesthetic compared with intraperitoneal local anesthetic in laparoscopic colectomy: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Ann Surg. 2022;275(1):30–36.
  • 21. Chaw SH, Lo YL, Goh SL, et al. Transversus abdominis plane block versus intraperitoneal local anesthetics in bariatric surgery: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Obes Surg. 2021;31(10):4305–4315.
  • 22. Kumar S, Choudhury B, Varikasuvu SR, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine combined with intrathecal bupivacaine compared to placebo. Cureus. 2022;14(12):32425.
  • 23. Sun C, He Z, Feng B, Huang Y, Liu D, Sun Z. Effect of intraperitoneal instillation of dexmedetomidine with local anesthetics in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2024;34(2):222–232.
  • 24. Chen Z, Liu Z, Feng C, Jin Y, Zhao X. Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant in peripheral nerve block. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2023;17:1463–1484.

Laparoskopik Kolesistektomi Sonrası Postoperatif Ağrı Yönetiminde M-TAPA Bloğu ile İntraperitoneal Analjezinin Karşılaştırılması: Randomize Kontrollü Bir Çalışma

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 3, 352 - 359, 22.12.2025
https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1686610

Abstract

Amaç: Laparoskopik kolesistektomi (LK), postoperatif ağrının azalması, daha kısa hastanede kalış süresi ve hızlı iyileşme gibi avantajlar sunan minimal invaziv bir cerrahi girişimdir. Ancak bu avantajlara rağmen, doku travması, pnömoperiton ve safra kesesinin çıkarılmasına bağlı ağrı önemli bir sorun olmaya devam etmektedir. Bu çalışma, LK uygulanan hastalarda Modifiye Torakoabdominal Sinir Bloğu – Perikondrial Yaklaşım (M-TAPA) ile deksmedetomidinli veya deksmedetomidinsiz intraperitoneal bupivakainin analjezik etkinliğini karşılaştırmayı amaçlamaktadır.

Araçlar ve Yöntem: Bu prospektif, randomize, tek kör çalışmaya, genel anestezi altında elektif LK uygulanan ASA I/II sınıfından 60 hasta dahil edildi. Hastalar üç gruba ayrıldı: M-TAPA bloğu (Grup M), intraperitoneal bupivakain (Grup B) ve intraperitoneal bupivakain + deksmedetomidin (Grup BD). Postoperatif ağrı, 24 saat boyunca altı saatlik aralıklarla Sayısal Değerlendirme Skalası (NRS) ile değerlendirildi. İkincil sonuç ölçütleri arasında kurtarıcı analjezik ihtiyacı ve yan etkiler yer aldı. Veriler ANOVA, KruskalWallis ve Bonferroni post-hoc testleri ile analiz edildi.

Bulgular: Grup BD ve Grup M, Grup B’ye kıyasla anlamlı derecede daha düşük NRS skorlarına sahipti (p<0.05); ancak Grup BD ile Grup M arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark saptanmadı. Hiçbir hastada kurtarıcı analjezik gereksinimi olmadı. Grup BD’de iki hastada bradikardi ve hipotansiyon gözlendi, bu durum atropin ile düzeldi. Grup M'de yan etki gözlenmeden etkili analjezi sağlandı.

Sonuç: LK sonrası M-TAPA bloğu ile deksmedetomidin içeren intraperitoneal bupivakain karşılaştırılabilir düzeyde analjezi sağlamaktadır. M-TAPA bloğu, daha az yan etki ile etkili ve güvenli bir seçenek olarak öne çıkmakta olup, LK hastalarında postoperatif ağrı yönetimi için tercih edilebilir bir yöntemdir.

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma, Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Klinik Araştırmalar Etik Kurulu tarafından onaylanmıştır (Tarih: 26 Mart 2024, Karar numarası: 2024-03/10).

References

  • 1. Khaitan L, Apelgren K, Hunter J, Traverso LW. A report on the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Outcomes Initiative: what have we learned and what is its potential? Surg Endosc. 2003;17(3):365–370.
  • 2. Zacks SL, Sandler RS, Rutledge R, Brown RS. A population-based cohort study comparing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open cholecystectomy. Am J Gastroenterol. 2002;97(2):334–340.
  • 3. Bisgaard T, Kehlet H, Rosenberg J. Pain and convalescence after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Eur J Surg. 2001;167(2):84–96.
  • 4. Jiang B, Ye S. Pharmacotherapeutic pain management in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A review. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2022;31(11):1275–1288.
  • 5. Sandhya S, Puthenveettil N, Vinodan K. Intraperitoneal nebulization of ropivacaine for control of pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized control trial. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2021;37(3):443–448.
  • 6. Sharan R, Singh M, Kataria A, Jyoti K, Jarewal V, Kadian R. Intraperitoneal instillation of bupivacaine and ropivacaine for postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Anesth Essays Res. 2018;12(2):377.
  • 7. Liu H, Hu X, Duan X, Wu J. Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) vs patient controlled analgesia (PCA) in laparoscopic colectomy: a meta-analysis. Hepatogastroenterology. 2014;61(133):1213–1219.
  • 8. Alsharari AF, Abuadas FH, Alnassrallah YS, Salihu D. Transversus Abdominis Plane Block as a strategy for effective pain management in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review. J Clin Med. 2022;11(23):6896.
  • 9. Avci O, Gundogdu O, Balci F, Tekcan MN. Effects of modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through perichondrial approach on postoperative pain and analgesic consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2024;34(1):5–10.
  • 10. Donatsky AM, Bjerrum F, Gögenur I. Surgical techniques to minimize shoulder pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review. Surg Endosc. 2013;27(7):2275–2282.
  • 11. Tulgar S, Selvi O, Thomas DT, Deveci U, Özer Z. Modified thoracoabdominal nerves block through perichondrial approach (M-TAPA) provides effective analgesia in abdominal surgery and is a choice for opioid-sparing anesthesia. J Clin Anesth. 2019;55:109.
  • 12. Panda A, Das M, Dhatri D, Satapathy GC. Efficacy of intraperitoneal 0.2% ropivacaine with dexmedetomidine versus 0.2% ropivacaine with ketamine in laparoscopic surgeries: A randomized controlled trial. Cureus. 2023;15(4):38035.
  • 13. Nicácio IP, Stelle ABF, Bruno TS, Nicácio GM, Costa JS, Cassu RN. Comparison of intraperitoneal ropivacaine and ropivacaine–dexmedetomidine for postoperative analgesia in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2020;47(3):396–404.
  • 14. Petersen PL, Stjernholm P, Kristiansen VB, et al. The beneficial effect of transversus abdominis plane block after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in day-case surgery. Anesth Analg. 2012;115(3):527–533.
  • 15. Dautzenberg KHW, Zegers MJ, Bleeker CP, et al. Unpredictable injectate spread of the erector spinae plane block in human cadavers. Anesth Analg. 2019;129(5):163–166.
  • 16. Bourgeois C, Oyaert L, Van de Velde M, et al. Pain management after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review and procedure-specific postoperative pain management (PROSPECT) recommendations. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2024;41(11):841–855.
  • 17. Bilge A, Başaran B, Et T, et al. Ultrasound-guided bilateral modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through a perichondrial approach (M-TAPA) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized double-blind controlled trial. BMC Anesthesiol. 2022;22(1):1–9.
  • 18. Güngör H, Ciftci B, Alver S, Gölboyu BE, Ozdenkaya Y, Tulgar S. Modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through perichondrial approach (M-TAPA) vs local infiltration for pain management after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery: A randomized study. J Anesth. 2023;37(2):254–260.
  • 19. Kaur R, Seal A, Lemech I, Fisher OM, Williams N. Intraperitoneal instillation of local anesthetic (IPILA) in bariatric surgery and the effect on postoperative pain scores: A randomized control trial. Obes Surg. 2022;32(7):2349–2356.
  • 20. MacFater WS, Xia W, Barazanchi AWH, et al. Intravenous local anesthetic compared with intraperitoneal local anesthetic in laparoscopic colectomy: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Ann Surg. 2022;275(1):30–36.
  • 21. Chaw SH, Lo YL, Goh SL, et al. Transversus abdominis plane block versus intraperitoneal local anesthetics in bariatric surgery: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Obes Surg. 2021;31(10):4305–4315.
  • 22. Kumar S, Choudhury B, Varikasuvu SR, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine combined with intrathecal bupivacaine compared to placebo. Cureus. 2022;14(12):32425.
  • 23. Sun C, He Z, Feng B, Huang Y, Liu D, Sun Z. Effect of intraperitoneal instillation of dexmedetomidine with local anesthetics in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2024;34(2):222–232.
  • 24. Chen Z, Liu Z, Feng C, Jin Y, Zhao X. Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant in peripheral nerve block. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2023;17:1463–1484.
There are 24 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Anaesthesiology
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Fatih Balcı 0000-0002-9005-6758

Levent Zirek This is me 0000-0001-8801-8966

Muhammed Nail Tekcan This is me 0009-0005-6245-3608

Submission Date April 29, 2025
Acceptance Date August 18, 2025
Publication Date December 22, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 9 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Balcı, F., Zirek, L., & Tekcan, M. N. (2025). Comparison of M-TAPA Block and Intraperitoneal Analgesia in Postoperative Pain Management After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Ahi Evran Medical Journal, 9(3), 352-359. https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1686610
AMA Balcı F, Zirek L, Tekcan MN. Comparison of M-TAPA Block and Intraperitoneal Analgesia in Postoperative Pain Management After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Ahi Evran Med J. December 2025;9(3):352-359. doi:10.46332/aemj.1686610
Chicago Balcı, Fatih, Levent Zirek, and Muhammed Nail Tekcan. “Comparison of M-TAPA Block and Intraperitoneal Analgesia in Postoperative Pain Management After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial”. Ahi Evran Medical Journal 9, no. 3 (December 2025): 352-59. https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1686610.
EndNote Balcı F, Zirek L, Tekcan MN (December 1, 2025) Comparison of M-TAPA Block and Intraperitoneal Analgesia in Postoperative Pain Management After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Ahi Evran Medical Journal 9 3 352–359.
IEEE F. Balcı, L. Zirek, and M. N. Tekcan, “Comparison of M-TAPA Block and Intraperitoneal Analgesia in Postoperative Pain Management After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial”, Ahi Evran Med J, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 352–359, 2025, doi: 10.46332/aemj.1686610.
ISNAD Balcı, Fatih et al. “Comparison of M-TAPA Block and Intraperitoneal Analgesia in Postoperative Pain Management After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial”. Ahi Evran Medical Journal 9/3 (December2025), 352-359. https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1686610.
JAMA Balcı F, Zirek L, Tekcan MN. Comparison of M-TAPA Block and Intraperitoneal Analgesia in Postoperative Pain Management After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Ahi Evran Med J. 2025;9:352–359.
MLA Balcı, Fatih et al. “Comparison of M-TAPA Block and Intraperitoneal Analgesia in Postoperative Pain Management After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial”. Ahi Evran Medical Journal, vol. 9, no. 3, 2025, pp. 352-9, doi:10.46332/aemj.1686610.
Vancouver Balcı F, Zirek L, Tekcan MN. Comparison of M-TAPA Block and Intraperitoneal Analgesia in Postoperative Pain Management After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Ahi Evran Med J. 2025;9(3):352-9.

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