Transversus Abdominis Plan Block Versus Rectus Sheath Block

Abdominoplasty is a frequently performed surgical procedure in aesthetic and plastic surgery. It is performed to solve the pain caused by the large abdomen, respiratory distress and aesthetic problems. Since large tissue excision is made and a large area is worked on, providing perioperative pain control is also important to prevent both postoperative respiratory distress and postoperative chronic pain formation.

In order to prevent both intraoperative and postoperative pain and to reduce opioid use, peripheral nerve blocks that provide analgesia on the abdominal wall can be applied to patients before the surgical incision. The most well-known of these blocks is the Transversus Abdominis Plane block. Another block that has been proven effective in abdominal surgery is the Rectus Sheath block. In the Transversus Abdominis Plane block (TAP), local anesthetic is injected into the fascia between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles, aiming for analgesia. It provides multidermatomal sensory block by spreading the local anesthetic agent in the fascial area. The Rectus Sheath (RK) block is also a preferred plan block in abdominoplasty surgery. In this block, local anesthetic agent is injected between the rectus muscle and the posterior rectus sheath to achieve analgesia.

Although the effectiveness of both blocks has been shown mostly in abdominoplasty operations, there is no publication in the literature showing and comparing their effectiveness in abdominoplasty operations. With this study, The investigator aimed to compare the analgesic effectiveness of the two blocks in patients who will undergo abdominoplasty operations.

Inclusion criteria

Patients who will undergo elective abdominoplasty

• Patients between the ages of 18-65
• ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) I-II-III patients
• Patients with a body weight between 50-80 kg

Exclusion criteria

• - ASA IV patient group
• Patients under 18 years of age
• Patients without cooperation
• Patients with chronic alcohol use
• Patients in whom peripheral plane block application is contraindicated (infection at the application site, coagulopathy, local anesthetic allergy)
• Patients who do not want to participate in the study