The aim of this investigation was to assess safety and efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block (TAP-block) for operations on a liver and bile ducts. All patients were divided into two groups. In the 1st group (n=18) continuous epidural anesthesia/analgesia was performed, in the 2nd one (n=21) - continuous bilateral subcostal oblique TAP-block. Though TAP-block has no advantages over epidural anesthesia/analgesia, but it has acquired a reputation of safe and efficient method of regional anesthesia. Further investigation and improvement of this method are required.

It is known, that the use of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) in obstetrics is associated with less analgesia failures and conversion to general anesthesia (GA), as compared with spinal anesthesia (SA) or epidural anesthesia (EA). It is also known, that double-space combined spinal-epidural technique is associated with less failures than “needle through needle” technique. However data about the influence of these techniques on changes in anesthesia plans to the general anaesthesia has not been earlier presented. Authors presented a review of their 10-year practical experience of the double-space CSEA use for elective cesarean section. Results of this retrospective study showed, that use of the double-space CSEA is associated with less conversion to GA, as compared with “needle through needle” CSEA.