Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Versus Erector Spinae Plane Block

The TAP block, first described by Rafi in 2001, is comprised of deposition of a local anesthetic into the anatomical plane between the internal oblique and transverses abdominis muscles, where thess thoracoabdominal nerves (T6-L1) contribute to the main sensory supply of the skin, muscles, and parietal peritoneum of the anterior abdominal wall. These nerves branch and communicate extensively with each other in the TAP . Erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a recently described interfascial block in which the local anaesthectic is placed over or below the plane of the erector spinae muscle, near where the spinal nerves come out from the spine before they start to divide. Some publications have shown its effectiveness in treating thoracic and abdominal postoperative pain. Postoperative pain is the major obstacle for early postoperative ambulation and increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, respiratory complications and prolongs the hospital stay. Parietal pain is the chief component of postoperative pain after abdominal surgeries. Large doses of opioids are required to mitigate this pain, but they are poorly tolerated. Multimodal analgesia is effective in handling postoperative pain and in attenuating the side effects of large doses of a single analgesic .