[Bilateral transversus abdominis plane block using catheterization for a patient with severe cardiac dysfunction and...

The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a newly described technique introducing a local anesthetic agent between the internal oblique and the transversus abdominis muscles of the abdominal wall, which is safer and more reliable analgesia in recent years by ultrasound technique. We report the perioperative management of transversus abdominis plane block with catheterization for a patient with severe cardiac dysfunction and chronic kidney failure, who underwent bilateral inguinal hernioplasty. A bilateral TAP block was first performed with 0.5% ropivacaine 20 ml under ultrasonographic visualization on right side, and after sixty-minutes the other side injection was performed through the indwelling catheter. During the operation, the patient received a target-controlled infusion of 0.4-0.6 microg x ml(-1) propofol. The perioperative courses were uneventful and there was no adverse effect including central nervous system (CNS) symptoms.