Transversus Abdominus Plane Block

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Transversus Abdominus Plane (TAP) block may reduce need for postoperative pain medications in patients undergoing laparoscopic hand assisted nephrectomy. Our hypothesis is that the TAP block will result in a significant reduction in pain scores and morphine requirements in the active group.

Official Title
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Ultrasound Guided Transversus Abdominus Plane Block for Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Hand-assisted Nephrectomy.

Conditions
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Nephrectomy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: TAP block placement with placebo
* Procedure: Placement of block with ropivacaine


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients who are ≥ 18 and ≤ 80 years of age. Patients scheduled to undergo hand assisted laparoscopic removal of a single kidney for either tumor or living donor transplantation. Exclusion Criteria: Patients scheduled to undergo an open procedure for nephrectomy Patients who are converted from hand assisted laparoscopic surgery to open surgery due to intraoperative complications. Bilateral nephrectomy Pregnant or lactating patients Patients unable or unwilling to provide informed consent Patients unable to comprehend the use of a visual analog scale Patients desiring preemptive antiemetics Opioid tolerance Allergy to amide local anesthetics or any of the study drugs (morphine). Contraindication to regional nerve block (bleeding disorder, infection at site of block) Patients with history of dementia

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Placebo Comparator: TAP block with placebo<br> | Procedure: TAP block placement with placebo<br>* 20 ml of normal saline (placebo)<br>|
| Active Comparator: TAP block with ropivacaine<br> | Procedure: Placement of block with ropivacaine<br>* 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine hydrochloride<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Determine if TAP block is a viable alternative to PCA narcotics for the control of pain after hand-assisted, laparoscopic nephrectomy. |  | 24 hours postoperatively | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TAP block with ropivacaine will lead to equivalent or better results with regard to the following outcomes:pain scores, nausea, vomiting, sedation, request for PCA, discontinuation of Foley catheter, discharge from the hospital |  | 24 hours postoperatively | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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nephrectomy