Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction: Analysis of Pain, Narcotic Consumption, Length of Stay, and Cost.

Abstract

Transversus abdominis plane blocks are increasingly being used in microvascular breast reconstruction. The implications of these blocks on specific reconstructive, patient, and institutional outcomes remain to be fully elucidated. Patients undergoing abdominally based microvascular breast reconstruction from 2015 to 2017 were reviewed. Length of stay, complications, narcotic consumption, donor-site pain, and hospital expenses were compared between patients who did and did not receive transversus abdominis plane blocks with liposomal bupivacaine. Outcomes were subsequently compared in patients with elevated body mass index. Fifty patients (43.9 percent) received blocks [27 (54.0 percent) under ultrasound guidance] and 64 patients (56.1 percent) did not. Patients with the blocks had significantly decreased oral and total narcotic consumption (p = 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and significantly less donor-site pain (3.3 versus 4.3; p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in hospital expenses between the two cohorts ($21,531.53 versus $22,050.15 per patient; p = 0.5659). Patients with a body mass index of 25 kg/m(2) or greater who received a block had a significantly decreased length of stay (3.8 days versus 4.4 days; p = 0.0345) and decreased narcotic consumption and postoperative pain compared with patients without blocks. Patients with a body mass index less than 25 kg/m(2) did not have a significant difference in postoperative pain, narcotic consumption, or length of stay between groups. Transversus abdominis plane blocks with liposomal bupivacaine significantly reduce oral and total postoperative narcotic consumption and donor-site pain in all patients after abdominally based microvascular breast reconstruction without increasing hospital expenses. The blocks also significantly decrease length of stay in patients with a body mass index greater than or equal to 25 kg/m(2). Therapeutic, III.