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NCT Number: NCT07604376

Comparative Analysis of the Impact of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block on Post-Cesarean Pain Management Using Low Concentration Ropivacaine 0,2%

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether the addition of a Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block improves postoperative outcomes in women undergoing cesarean section.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does the TAP block reduce postoperative pain scores compared with the traditional analgesic regimen used in our hospital? Does the TAP block decrease opioid consumption within the first 24 hours? Does the TAP block improve the 24-hour quality of recovery? Researchers will compare patients receiving the traditional analgesic regimen with patients who receive the TAP block in addition to standard care to determine differences in pain management, opioid requirements, and recovery quality.

Participants will:

Receive standard anesthetic and perioperative care for cesarean delivery. Be randomized to either the TAP block group or the traditional analgesic regimen group.

Have postoperative pain scores assessed at predefined intervals. Have opioid consumption recorded within the first 24 hours. Complete a quality-of-recovery assessment at 24 hours postoperatively.

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Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Targu Mureș

Târgu Mureş, Mureș County, 547581, Romania

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Janos Szederjesi, MD, PhD Assoc Prof

CONTACT

[email protected]

Matild Keresztes, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

0741784066

About this study

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing cesarean section.

Participants randomized to the TAP group will receive an ultrasound-guided TAP block with ropivacaine 0.2% at a dose of 0.4 ml/kg per side. The block will be performed at the end of surgery, under spinal anesthesia, using a linear probe with a lateral approach. After aseptic preparation of the skin, sterile probe covering, and operator sterile technique, the muscle layers will be identified sonographically. A 50 mm or 100 mm needle will be inserted in-plane. Following confirmation of the fascial plane and negative aspiration for blood, local anesthetic will be administered in 5 ml increments, with repeated aspiration to avoid intravascular injection.

Postoperative analgesia in the TAP group will consist of ibuprofen every 8 hours (max 1200mg/day) and paracetamol every 6-8 hours (max 4 gr/day), with tramadol 50 mg available as rescue analgesic.

Participants in the control group (non-TAP) will receive the traditional analgesic regimen used in our hospital: metamizole every 8 hours ( max 3 gr/day), NSAIDs (ibuprofen, dexketoprofen, pareecoxib), paracetamol every 6-8 hours ( max 4 gr/day), and scheduled tramadol, every 8-12 hour ( max 300 mg/day)

Pain assessment and outcomes:

Participants will remain in the obstetric intensive care unit (ICU) for the first 12-24 hours after cesarean delivery, after which they will be transferred to the ward.

Pain will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at rest, during mobilization, during breastfeeding, and while standing/walking. The target NRS is ≤4.

Opioid consumption will be recorded during the first 24 hours.

Quality of recovery:

At 24 hours postoperatively, participants will complete the ObsQoR-11 questionnaire, a validated recovery tool consisting of 11 statements.

It comprises 11 items that assess recovery across the key domains of physical comfort, physical independence, psychological well-being, emotional state, and pain control.

Each item is rated by the patient on a 0-10 numerical rating scale, where 0 corresponds to the poorest recovery or complete disagreement with the statement, and 10 corresponds to the best possible recovery or complete agreement with the statement.

The individual item scores are summed to yield a total score ranging from 0 to 110, with higher scores reflecting a better quality of postoperative recovery. The ObsQoR-11 therefore provides a quantitative, standardized, and patient-centered measure of recovery, allowing for both within-group and between-group comparisons in clinical trials.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

pregnant patient anaesthesia type for c-section: spinal

Exclusion criteria

general anaesthesia for c-section combined spinal/epidural anaethesia for c-section hipertensive emergencies in obstetrics haemorrhage emergencies in obstetrics

Treatment and study plan

Postoperative analgesia using TAP block, Ropivacaine 0,2%, volume: 0,4 ml/kg per side

Drug

Postoperative (post cesarean section) TAP block using low concentration Ropivacaine ( 0,2%), volume dose weight calculated: 0,4 ml/kg per side. Total ropivacaine dose 1,6 mg/kg.

Other names: TAP block

Postoperative pain management using "traditional" analgesia iv regime

Drug

"Traditional" analgesia refers to our analgesia technique used in our hospital. Regular Tramadol, Metamizol, +/- Ibuprofen/Dexketorpofen/Parecoxib

Primary outcomes

  1. Postoperative opioid consumption

    Time frame: 24 hours

Secondary outcomes

  1. Recovery after cesarean section using the ObsQoR-11

    Time frame: 24 hours

    The ObsQoR-11 is an 11-item, self-report questionnaire used to assess recovery after childbirth, particularly caesarean delivery after 24 hours. It measures four key aspects of recovery: physical comfort, emotional state, physical independence, and the ability to care for the newborn. A higher ObsQoR-11 score indicates better recovery

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Janos Szederjesi, MD, PhD Assoc Prof

CONTACT

[email protected]

+40745316221

Matild Keresztes, Medical doctor

CONTACT

[email protected]

+40741784066

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Matild Keresztes

Other

Collaborators

  • Tîrgu Mureș Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Romania

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
May 22, 2026
Registry last updated
May 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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