INTRODUCTION The use of peripheral nerve blocks has become increasingly popular in the last two decades. With the use of anatomical landmark-based techniques, peripheral nerve stimulators, or ultrasound-guided techniques, novel types of nerve blocks have been made possible with both new indications as well as a lower risk of complications for the patient. The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a newly developed block involving the nerves of the anterior abdominal wall. Recent published clinical trials involving patients undergoing both major abdominal as well as gynaecological surgery, have demonstrated promising results with this technique as part of a multimodal post-operative pain treatment. There was a recent review article summarizing the results of the available studies. This review article presents a brief summary of the methods used for the TAP block. Clinical studies of the effect of the TAP block on post-operative pain were systematically searched and reviewed. Suggestions for future assessment and use of the TAP block were discussed. McDonnell and O'Donnell recently found a series of TAP Blocks placed via the triangle of Petit to be effective in reducing postoperative pain in major abdominal surgery. Hebbard suggests placing TAP blocks from a subcostal oblique approach for surgery above the umbilicus. Our personal experiences with postoperative analgesia via TAP blocks in patients undergoing supraumbilical laparotomy coincide with Dr.