To assess the effect of intraoperative transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks on the amount of opioid pain medications expressed as morphine milliequivalents (MME) used postoperatively in patients who have undergone cesarean delivery (CD) in the setting of complex obstetric surgery (COS).
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 50 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria:
Patient has a history of a least one of the following:
* Prior exploratory laparotomy
* History of non-obstetric open intra-abdominal surgery
* History of three or more prior cesarean deliveries
* History of intra-abdominal or pelvic adhesive disease
* History of abdominoplasty
* History of abdominal re-exploration surgery
Exclusion Criteria:
* Received general anesthesia
* History of less than 3 cesarean deliveries if do not meet other inclusion criteria
* History of chronic opioid use
* History of substance abuse (i.e. alcohol, methamphetamine/amphetamine, abuse of prescription opioid medication, or heroin use)
* History of chronic kidney disease
* Allergies to bupivacaine or oral analgesics
* Patient preference
* Cesarean hysterectomy
* Administration of ≥4mg morphine to epidural
* Loss to follow-up
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Pain medication requested
Timeframe: Between 24 and 48 hours after surgery
Trial details
NCT IDNCT06925152
SponsorUniversity of Tennessee
Sponsor typeOTHER
Study typeINTERVENTIONAL
Primary completion2028-05
Contact for this trial
Michael VanDillen Fellow physician, PI of study, MD