A Transabdominal Plane Block, also called TAP, is a type of injection that numbs the nerves on the front of the abdominal wall. A TAP is done to decrease pain caused by nerve irritation and swelling in that area, The medicine is placed between the layers of muscles in your abdomen, consisting of either a local anesthetic or a combination of a local anesthetic and a steroid.
A TAP may be done as a one-time injection, or a catheter (small plas- tic tube) may be left in place to give the medicine for several days. The numbness from a TAP block may not be as dense or complete as numbness from an epidural.
This procedure may be done in the office or in the operating room (OR). If done in the OR, you will be asleep during the procedure. You will get instructions on when you need to stop eating and drinking before the procedure and also when to arrive. If done in the office, you will be awake during the procedure.
during your procedure:
- The belly area is cleaned with a special soap.
- An ultrasound machine will help find the right place to inject the medicine.
- The medicine is injected through a needle. You may get medicine on both sides of your abdomen.
- After getting the medicine, you can sit up and can go home shortly afterwards.
You may not notice the pain relief from the steroid until about 48 hours after the procedure, It takes longer for the medicine to begin to work, but it lasts Ion er than the local anesthetic.