Is it Feasible to Conduct a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of the Transverse Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block Versus Anaesthetic Injections to the Wound Site for Patients Requiring Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy?

Detailed Summary

The objective of the study is to hopefully understand the most beneficial way to control pain after removing the gallbladder by keyhole surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). The investigators will investigate two groups of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. One group will receive the injection of local anaesthetic into the abdominal wall (TAP block) and into the wounds; the second group will have local anaesthetic into the wounds only. In order to have meaningful results, we anticipate a large number of participants would be required. Therefore we would test first whether it is technically possible to set up the study itself. The investigators will be looking at parameters (willingness of patients to be recruited, willingness of clinicians to recruit participants, number of eligible patients, follow-up rates, adherence/compliance rates, number of participants needed for an adequate sample size) that will allow to understand if such a larger trial is technically possible to set up.

Study Details

Timeline

Interventions