Review of the analgesia options for patients undergoing TRAM and DIEP flap breast reconstruction

Background The mainstay of autologous breast reconstruction involves abdominal wall-based tissue transfer in the form of free or pedicled TRAMs or more recently free DIEP flaps. Although excellent choices for breast reconstruction, all of these techniques do have significant morbidity when considering donor-site pain. This can lead to other complications such as reduced mobility, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli, respiratory infections, heavy opiate use, constipation and prolonged in hospital stay. Minimising postoperative donor-site pain is therefore of paramount importance. This article provides a review of the forms of analgesia available in the literature and in use in clinical practise. It is a summary of the published studies and exciting future options in this field.