Open TAP block versus wound catheter for children having abdominal surgery

TAP-blockad Vid öppen Bukkirurgi Hos Barn

Not applicable Interventional Uppsala University · NCT07352683

This will test whether an open TAP block or a continuous wound catheter gives better postoperative pain relief for children aged 1–15 undergoing open abdominal surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment88 (estimated)
Ages1 Year to 15 Years
SexAll
SponsorUppsala University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Uppsala)
Trial IDNCT07352683 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Children aged 1–15 scheduled for elective or acute open abdominal surgery at Akademiska sjukhuset will receive either an open transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block or continuous local anesthetic infusion via a wound catheter for postoperative pain control. Pain scores, additional analgesic use, and adverse events will be recorded in the immediate postoperative period and over the first 24–72 hours after surgery. The comparison focuses on efficacy of local/regional techniques to reduce pain and systemic opioid requirements. Patients with chronic abdominal pain, known allergy to local anesthetic, stage 4 renal failure, or significant psychiatric illness are excluded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Children aged 1–15 years who are scheduled for elective or acute open abdominal surgery and do not meet exclusion criteria are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Children with chronic abdominal pain, a known allergy to local anesthetics, stage 4 renal failure, significant psychiatric illness, or those undergoing non-open (e.g., laparoscopic) procedures may not benefit or may be ineligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the better technique could reduce postoperative pain and opioid needs for children after open abdominal surgery.

How similar studies have performed: TAP blocks and wound catheters have each shown benefit for postoperative analgesia in prior studies, but direct head-to-head comparisons in pediatric open abdominal surgery are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 1-15 years
* Scheduled for elective or acute open adominal surgical procedure

Exclusion Criteria:

* chronic abdominal pain
* known allergy to local analgetic
* Stage 4 renal failure
* psychiatric ailnment

Where this trial is running

Uppsala

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pain Management After SurgerypediatricTAP-blockpostoperative pain management
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.