Transversus Abdominis Plane Block on Postoperative Analgesic Efficacy in Elderly Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Tumor Surgery

Launched by CHINESE PLA GENERAL HOSPITAL · Jun 2, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a technique called the transversus abdominis plane block (TAP Block) to help manage pain after surgery for older adults who are having minimally invasive operations to remove gastrointestinal tumors. Many elderly patients experience significant pain after surgery, and traditional pain medications like opioids can have unwanted side effects. The goal of this study is to see if using the TAP Block can improve pain relief, reduce the use of opioids, and help patients recover more quickly without increasing the risk of confusion or other issues.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be at least 65 years old and scheduled for a specific type of surgery under general anesthesia. They should be in reasonably good health, with no severe medical conditions that could complicate the procedure. Unfortunately, people with certain health issues, like allergies to anesthetics or mental health disorders, cannot participate. If you or a loved one fits the criteria, you may have the opportunity to be part of a study that could improve pain management for elderly patients undergoing surgery.

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ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Elderly patients scheduled for elective minimally invasive gastrointestinal tumor surgery under general anesthesia
• • 2. Age ≥65 years
• • 3. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification ≤III
• • 4. Body mass index (BMI) 18-30 kg/m²
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Allergy to anesthetic agents
• • 2. Preoperative chronic pain or chronic use of opioids/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• • 3. Contraindications to regional blockade:Local infection at puncture site
• • , Coagulopathy (INR \>1.5, platelet count \<80×10⁹/L)
• • 4. There is cognitive impairment, which is determined based on Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores below the standard threshold
• • 5. Preoperative neurological/psychiatric disorders:Consciousness alterations, Epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Schizophrenia, Anxiety or depressive disorders, Hepatic, pulmonary, or renal encephalopathy
• • 6. Recent stroke history
• • 7. Postoperative admission to intensive care unit (ICU)