Regional Nerve Blocks Used in Renal Transplantation and Donor Nephrectomy: A Narrative Review

Perioperative opioid-related adverse drug events have been associated with increased length of hospitalization, higher costs, and increased patient mortality. Consequently, alternative means of analgesia, which may mitigate these risks, are important to explore. Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs), including transversus abdominis block (TAPB), quadratus lumborum block (QLB), and erector spinae plane block (ESPB), have been used to reduce opioid requirements after renal transplant and donor nephrectomy. TAPB is most frequently studied; however, few studies compare approaches. PubMed was queried on July 13th 2022 and again on April 14th 2024 for studies on the use of regional analgesia for kidney transplantation and donor nephrectomy. This review surveys 29 publications that empirically investigated use of a PNB alone or as part of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols for patients undergoing renal transplant or donor nephrectomy, summarizing the evidence for each PNB. We found that TAPB was the most studied technique, and that few studies compared analgesic techniques. Overall, this body of research supports the use of TAPB to reduce pain and opioid requirements in the postoperative period after renal transplantation. Fewer studies support the use of TAPB following donor nephrectomy or the use of other PNBs for either procedure. Future studies may further investigate the use of TAPB after donor nephrectomy, compare various PNBs to TAPB, and investigate long-term outcomes.