Response to Letter to the Editor: Laparoscopic Posterior Versus Lateral Transversus Abdominis Plane Block in Gynecology

Abstract

We would like to thank Austin et al. for their comments regarding our recent manuscript. 1 The authors of the letter raised concern over the use of "Doyle's internal bulge sign" as a visual indicator of correct placement of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block during laparoscopy. Austin et al. described an interesting study performed on 24 patients, who received laparoscopic-assisted TAP block followed by ultrasonographic evaluation. The authors reported correct placement of laparoscopicassisted TAP block, as determined by ultrasonographic findings, in approximately half of patients. However, the authors did not mention patient characteristics or whether there were any differences in postoperative pain and pain medication usage in their study.