Nerve Block Tip of the Week: Anterior TAP Block

In today’s installment of the Nerve Block Tip of the Week, we are reviewing the Anterior Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block technique.

The ultrasound-based technique improves the success rate of the anterior TAP block compared to the landmark-based approach as it enables visualization of needle insertion and local anesthetic spread. 

Here are 3 tips to further increase the success rate when performing the anterior TAP block. 

1. Place the transducer in an oblique orientation with the lateral edge on top of the anterior superior iliac spine and the medial edge pointing toward the umbilicus.
2. Identify the three muscle layers of the anterior abdominal wall: External oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis muscles.
3. Insert the needle, from lateral to medial, and advance the needle tip until it is placed between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles to inject 15-20 mL of local anesthetic.

Watch the video below to get a better picture of the process and see how the NYSORA Nerve Blocks App brings these instructions to life:

For more tips on the Anterior Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block, as well as the complete guide to the 60 most used nerve blocks, download the Nerve Blocks App HERE.