Transversus Abdominis Plane Catheter Following Kidney Transplantation

Continuous Infusion of Local Anesthetic After Kidney Transplantation This is a phase III, randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled trial comparing the use of a continuous infusion of local anesthetic via transversus abdominis plane (TAP) catheter to a saline infusion (sham) via TAP catheter along with standard postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing kidney transplantation. Patients will have a TAP catheter placed at the time of kidney transplantation by the surgical team under direct vision. They are then randomized to a continuous infusion of local anesthetic or saline for 48 hours postoperatively. Both groups will receive a standard postoperative analgesic regimen including a Patient Controlled Analgesic (PCA) pump and multimodal analgesics including acetaminophen and gabapentin.