Spinal morphine-but not TAP block-improved analgesia after Caesarean section. The addition of TAP block with bupivacaine 2 mg kg(-1) to spinal morphine did not further improve analgesia.

This article provides an overview of current methods used in acute pain management and explains why effective analgesia is crucial in the early postoperative period. It describes the pharmacology of both common and specialist analgesics, as well as explaining the role and uses of regional and neuraxial analgesia, for the non-anaesthetist.

Low-dose TAP blocks for Caesarean delivery provide analgesia and opioid-sparing effects comparable with the high-dose blocks. This suggests that lower doses can be used to reduce local anaesthetic toxicity risk without compromising the analgesic efficacy.

reading this article, you should be able to:Discuss the incidence of nerve injuries related to peripheral nerve blocks compared to the rate associated with various surgical procedures. Explain the aetiology and mechanisms that contribute to nerve injury secondary to a peripheral nerve block. Describe methods to reduce the risk of neurological complications associated with peripheral nerve blockade. Outline the management of a patient with suspected neurological injury caused by peripheral nerve blockade.