A Study to Compare Two Techniques for Pain Control After Bariatric Surgery

"The laparoscopic-assisted Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block will be done just after the optic trocar placement as follow: as landmarks we use the anterior axillary line, in the middle between the iliac crest and the costal margin. After insertion of the optic trocar the peritoneum is visualized. A 14 Gauge needle is inserted 2 cm cranially respect the taken landmark through the skin until the penetration of the internal and external oblique fascias, identified as sudden lowering of resistance. Laparoscopy allows to confirm that the needle did not pass the peritoneum.~A solution of 20 ml of Ropivacaine (0.25%) is then injected, observing the formation of a bulge posterior to the transversus abdominis muscle.~The procedure is then repeated identically on the contralateral side."

The Port-Site Infiltration (PSI) will be performed by infiltrating the subcutis and the skin at the trocar site before the trocar placements with a solution of local anesthetic (Ropivacaine 0.25%), a total of 40 ml will be administered.