MedTrace Logo

Comparison of Sensory Block Coverage and Clinical Effectiveness of TAP and Rectus Sheath Blocks in Pfannenstiel Incisions

NCT07260396 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2025-12-03

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Hysterectomy is one of the most common major gynecologic surgeries performed for various indications, and hundreds of thousands of procedures are carried out annually, particularly in developed countries. In total abdominal hysterectomies, the Pfannenstiel incision is frequently preferred due to its advantages in terms of aesthetics, functionality, and postoperative recovery. However, this incision can cause significant postoperative pain because of the extensive cutaneous innervation of the lower abdominal wall. This pain may delay early mobilization and negatively affect patient comfort and satisfaction.

As part of multimodal analgesia strategies, regional anesthesia techniques are widely used in such surgeries to reduce opioid consumption and enhance analgesic efficacy. In this context, the Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block and the Rectus Sheath Block (RSB) are among the effective techniques targeting the anterior abdominal wall, and various studies have investigated their spread patterns and clinical outcomes. However, data on the extent to which these blocks provide cutaneous sensory coverage of the Pfannenstiel incision remain limited, and direct comparative mapping studies are scarce in the literature.

For patients undergoing hysterectomy, regional anesthesia techniques are commonly applied perioperatively either as a single technique or in combination for pain management, with TAP and RSB being the most frequently used modalities. In addition, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) devices are routinely employed as a component of multimodal pain management in this population.

The aim of this study is to comparatively evaluate the cutaneous sensory block areas produced by the TAP and RSB regional anesthesia techniques, their rates of coverage of the Pfannenstiel incision, and their clinical effectiveness.

Conditions

  • Pain Management
  • Hysterectomy

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Group Transversus Abdominis Plane Block

Patients will receive a bilateral transversus abdominis plane block preoperatively under ultrasound guidance. Bilateral blocks will be performed using 0.25% bupivacaine (25 mL per side, total 50 mL). Sensory block areas will be evaluated using pinprick at predefined time points. Additionally, patients will be provided with a PCA device, and morphine consumption as well as NRS pain scores will be monitored at regular intervals.

PROCEDURE

Group Rectus Sheath Block

Patients will receive a bilateral rectus sheath block preoperatively under ultrasound guidance. Bilateral blocks will be performed using 0.25% bupivacaine (25 mL per side, total 50 mL). Sensory block areas will be evaluated using pinprick at predefined time points. Additionally, patients will be provided with a PCA device, and morphine consumption as well as NRS pain scores will be monitored at regular intervals.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Samsun University

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Sevda Akdeniz · Samsun University

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
70 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-01-01
Primary Completion
2027-06-01
Completion
2027-07-01

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07260396 on ClinicalTrials.gov