Laparoscopic-guided TAP Block vs Epidural Analgesia

"Patients in the TAP group will be given a laparoscopic-assisted TAP block with a total of 2mg/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine in the bilateral subcostal region into four spots of the bilateral subcostal region, two on both sides of the lateral abdomen between the anterior iliac spine and lower costal arch. The TAP block is performed after the first trocar placement before the insertion of other trocars and the beginning of the surgical intervention.~In the control group epidural catheters will be placed using landmark- and loss-of-resistance techniques while the patient is on the operating table. Infusions of 4ml/h containing 0.125% levobupivacaine and 5.5 μg/mL fentanyl will be started with a CADD Solis VIP-infusion pump at the time of anesthesia induction."