What Is a TAP Block?
TAP stands for "Transversus Abdominis Plane," which is a clinical term for the thin layer of tissue that sits between the abdominal muscles deep in your abdomen.
Your surgeon will inject local anesthetic (freezing) into your lower abdomen, which stops the nerves in the area from sending pain signals to your brain. This can improve comfort and reduce your need for opioid pain medication in early recovery.
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How Long Does a TAP Block Last?
Every patient is different, but you can expect the effects to last for somewhere between 12 and 24 hours. The exact duration will depend on the type and volume of anesthetic.
What Are the Risks of Having a TAP Block?
TAP blocks are very safe for most patients and carry a low risk of side effects. If your surgeon is recommending one as part of your care plan, it's because they believe the benefits outweigh any potential risks.
The most common complications include:
The block failing to take effect or wearing off too soon
Mild pain around the injection site(s)
Bruising or bleeding
Local anesthetic toxicity and injury to nearby organs, such as the liver or kidneys, are also possible, but complications like these are exceptionally rare. Tell your doctor in advance if you know you are allergic to ropivacaine, bupivacaine, or any other anaesthetic drug.
Pre- and Post-Surgery Checklist
What to Expect
Your care team will let you know if they plan to do a TAP block during your procedure. The injection process will happen while you're under anaesthesia (asleep), so you won't feel it or remember having it done. This may also occur after receiving a regional anesthetic like a spinal anesthetic. This is more common at the time of cesarean section. In this case, you may be awake for the TAP block, but you will be frozen (not feel pain) during the procedure.
Following a TAP block, your abdomen will feel numb. It's also common to feel groggy or sleepy as the effects of any anaesthetic medications you were given start to wear off.
What to Prepare
You don't need to do anything special to prepare for a TAP block, but you will need to follow your surgeon's instructions to prepare for the surgery itself.
This may include:
• When to stop eating and drinking the day before your operation
• Whether to stop, continue, or change your current medications
• How to clear out your bowel, if it's required
The hospital's Pre-Operative Clinic (PAC) will also call you at some point to review your medications and book you in for any necessary testing, like bloodwork.
Questions for Your Doctor
It's natural to have questions about any medical procedure, including a TAP block. Getting the answers you need will reduce any anxiety before and after your surgery.
Try asking your care team questions like:
• Am I a good candidate for a TAP block?
• If the TAP block doesn't work for me, do I have other options for pain control?
• How will my pain be managed once the TAP block wears off or stops working?
• Are there other ways to manage my pain that don't involve medications?
• Is having a TAP block the same thing as getting an epidural?
Some people find it helpful to write down a list of questions before each appointment.
Post-Surgery Recovery Process
Your recovery timeline will depend on the type of procedure you have, rather than the TAP block itself. If your surgeon feels you will benefit from it, you may be admitted for the first few days or go home later on the same day.
In the first week, you will likely:
• Feel fatigued or need to rest more often
• Experience bloating, flatulence, or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen
• Have mild swelling, with or without tenderness, near your incisions
• Develop constipation, especially if you're also taking an opioid medication
Your provider will tell you when you can start gradually returning to your normal activities, including work and exercise. They'll also let you know what to do if you develop a fever, heavy bleeding, or severe pain once you're released.
Surgery Process
Most surgeries start in a similar way regardless of what procedure you're having. You'll arrive at the hospital at a set time, where a nurse or administrator will help you check in. You'll be asked to change into a gown and then wait for someone to bring you into the operating room.
Below is an example of the steps taken when performing a TAP block before a procedure. In some cases, the TAP block may be performed by an anesthesiologist before initiation of anesthesia. In other cases, a TAP block may be performed by your surgeon at the end of a case.
STEP 1: Starting Anesthesia
Once you're in the OR, a nurse or doctor will begin tracking your vital signs. They'll also start an IV, then give you medication to help you fall asleep.
STEP 2: Positioning and Skin Prep
Once you’re asleep, your care team will reposition your body so they can safely perform the block. They’ll clean the area with an antiseptic like iodine before they proceed any further.
STEP 3: Ultrasound Machine
The surgeon or anesthesiologist will run a small ultrasound probe over the skin between your ribs and hip bone. Visualizing the area in real-time makes TAP blocks safer and more accurate.
STEP 4: Injecting the Anesthetic
Next, the clinician will pass a thin needle through the skin on your lower abdomen. They'll slowly inject the numbing agent once it's in the right place, then withdraw the needle.
STEP 5: Numbing the Other Side
If you need pain control on both sides of your abdomen, the team will reposition your body and repeat the process again on the other side.
STEP 6: Your Procedure
Once the TAP block is finished, your surgery will proceed as planned. The medication should start to take effect before you wake up.
TAP Block FAQs
What Should I Do If I Still Experience Pain?
Having a TAP block doesn't necessarily mean you won't have any pain at all, and it doesn't mean you can't have other medications for pain, either. Let your nurse or care team know right away if you feel your pain isn't being adequately managed. They can help!
How Is a TAP Block Different From an Epidural?
TAP blocks only numb the nerves in the abdominal wall, and are almost always used to treat pain related to incisions. With epidurals, the numbing agent is delivered near the spinal nerves instead, which can help control pain across a wider area, but also impacts mobility.
Will the TAP Block Make Me Drowsy or Groggy?
No. A TAP block is a local anesthetic, not a sedative, so it doesn’t usually cause sleepiness or confusion. General anesthesia can sometimes make people feel tired, dizzy, or nauseous for the first 24 hours, but symptoms like these usually clear up quickly.
Can I Still Take Pain Medication After a TAP Block?
Yes. A TAP block is usually part of a broader pain plan, so your team may still give you pain medicine by mouth or IV if you need it. This may include over-the-counter options like Tylenol, ibuprofen, or naproxen and prescription medication.
TAP Block Video Resources
