Abstract
AIM: The study aimed to explore the impact of transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) combined with intravenous lidocaine on rapid recovery after bariatric surgery. METHODS: A total of 80 patients who underwent elective bariatric surgery from October 2022 to October 2023 were selected as study participants and divided into a control group (CG) and a study group (SG). The CG received ultrasound-guided TAPB with ropivacaine, while the SG received ultrasound-guided TAPB with ropivacaine plus intravenous lidocaine. The two groups were compared in terms of total doses of propofol, remifentanil, and sufentanil used; pain intensity; intraoperative conditions; levels of inflammatory factors; additional use of postoperative analgesics; incidence of adverse reactions; and postoperative recovery time. RESULTS: Compared to the CG, the SG showed significant reductions in the total intraoperative doses of propofol, remifentanil, and sufentanil (p < 0.05). In addition, the SG had lower visual analog scale (VAS) scores at rest and during coughing at 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively (p < 0.05), as well as lower heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) values at time points T1-T3 (p < 0.05). On the first day after surgery, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the SG were significantly lower than those in the CG (p < 0.05), and the SG also required less additional use of postoperative analgesics (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the SG exhibited a shorter time to first flatus, first defecation, and first ambulation, as well as a shorter length of hospital stay compared to the CG (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TAPB combined with intravenous lidocaine may provide effective postoperative analgesia for patients after bariatric surgery and may accelerate their rapid recovery.