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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07465406

Postoperative Pain Will be Compared in Cholecystectomy Patients: Half Receiving TAP Block and Half Without it.

This study compares the effectiveness of a Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block in reducing post-operative pain for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Sixty patients were divided into two groups: one group received a TAP block with a local anesthetic at the end of surgery, and the control group did not. The main goal was to see if the TAP block significantly lowers pain scores (measured on a scale of 0 to 10) within the first 12 hours after surgery and if it reduces the need for additional pain-relief medications.

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Key information

Conditions

Cholelithiasis Biliary Tract Diseases Digestive System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pain, Postoperative Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Postoperative Complications Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Darul Sehat Hospital- Liaquat College of Medicine & Dentistry.

Karachi, Pakistan

About this study

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard for treating symptomatic cholelithiasis; however, patients often experience significant in the early post-operative period. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted at the Department of Surgery, Liaquat College of Medicine & Dentistry, Karachi, to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of the TAP block.

A total of 60 patients, aged 18-60 years with ASA I or II, were randomized into two equal groups (n=30 each). The intervention group received an TAP block while the control group received standard post-operative analgesia.

The primary objective was to compare the mean Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score at 12 hours post-operation. Secondary objectives included assessing the time to the first request for rescue analgesia and the type of analgesic drug used. Data were analyzed to determine if the TAP block provides superior pain control compared to conventional methods.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients aged 18-60 years
  • Both genders
  • Patients diagnosed with Cholelithiasis in accordance with operational definition and planned to undergo Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with ASA of ≥ 3
  • Patients diagnosed with acute cholecystitis, empyema, mucocele or perforated gall bladder
  • Patients planned to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy alongside other abdominal procedures
  • Patients with body mass index of ≥ 35 Kg/m2
  • Patients with history of coagulation disorders like hemophilia or those with history of anti-platelet drugs use in last 2 weeks
  • Pregnant females

Treatment and study plan

Bupivacaine 0.25%

Drug

Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block administered by injecting 20ml of 0.25% Bupivacaine between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles.

Standard Post-Operative Care

Other

Patients received the routine post-operative analgesia protocol of the hospital (e.g., IV Ketorolac or Paracetamol) without the administration of a TAP block

Primary outcomes

  1. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Score for Pain

    Time frame: 12 hours post-operation

    A subjective psychometric response scale used to measure pain intensity. It consists of a 10 cm line where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "the worst pain imaginable.".

Secondary outcomes

  1. Time for First Request of Rescue Analgesia

    Time frame: Within the first 24 hours post-operation.

    The duration of time (in hours or minutes) from the end of the surgical procedure until the patient first requests additional pain medication due to inadequate pain control.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Darul Sehat Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparison Of Patients Post Operative Pain Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Receiving Tap Block Vs Not Receiving Tap Block

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Mar 11, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 13, 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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