Evaluation of Postoperative Analgesia Using Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Versus Epidural Analgesia in Abdominal Surgeries

Background: Effective postoperative analgesia after abdominal surgery is essential for early mobilisation, respiratory function, patient comfort, and recovery. Epidural analgesia is widely used for major abdominal procedures, whereas transversus abdominis plane block offers a peripheral regional technique with a favourable safety profile. The objective is to compare postoperative analgesic efficacy, rescue analgesic requirement, patient satisfaction, and adverse events between transversus abdominis plane block and epidural analgesia in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgeries. Material and Methods: This prospective comparative study included 60 patients undergoing elective abdominal surgeries at Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally, Telangana, India, from January 2025 to December 2025. Patients were divided into Group T, receiving transversus abdominis plane block, and Group E, receiving epidural analgesia, with 30 patients in each group. Baseline characteristics, visual analogue scale pain scores, time to first rescue analgesia, rescue analgesic consumption, patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications were assessed. Results: Baseline demographic and operative variables were comparable between the groups. Epidural analgesia produced significantly lower pain scores at 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours postoperatively. Time to first rescue analgesia was longer in Group E than Group T, and 24-hour tramadol consumption was lower in Group E. TAP block was associated with fewer hemodynamic and procedure-related adverse effects. Urinary retention was significantly more frequent in the epidural group. Conclusion: Epidural analgesia provided stronger early postoperative analgesia and reduced rescue analgesic requirement, while TAP block demonstrated better hemodynamic stability and fewer adverse effects. Both techniques were effective for postoperative analgesia after abdominal surgeries. Keywords: Abdominal surgery; Epidural analgesia; Postoperative pain; Regional anaesthesia; Rescue analgesia; Transversus abdominis plane block.