Abstract :
Introduction and Aim: 1: Dexamethasone is steroid which can be used as add on to local anesthetic for
prolonging the duration of action and has been studied in different neuroaxial blocks. We undertake this
study by comparing the efficacy of bupivacaine alone versus bupivacaine plus dexamethasone during the
surgical TAP block during caesarean section; 2: To correlate the advantages, disadvantages and adverse
effects of the drugs during the surgical TAP block.
Methods and Materials: A double blind randomized control study to include 100 women was approved
by the institutional ethics committee. Patients were randomized as Group A: received surgical TAP block
with Bupivacaine alone. Group B: received TAP block with Bupivacaine plus dexamethasone.
Dose of the drug was adjusted with respect to the weight of the patient and surgical TAP block was
administered via trans-peritoneal route. Visual analogue score (VAS) was assessed by a blinded observer.
Time required for rescue analgesia in minutes was measured. The ’Mann-Whitney U test’ was used for
statistical analysis.
Results: The duration of post operative analgesi a was prolonged in group B. Group A Bupivacaine
had post op duration of analgesia (mean SD 268.80125.53 minutes), Group B Bupivacaine plus
dexamethasone had post op duration of analgesia (mean SD 466.8207.86). There were no reported
complications during the surgical technique or any adverse effects to bupivacaine and dexamethasone
administered for the TAP block.
Conclusion: Surgical TAP block with bupivacaine plus dexamethasone is more effective than with
bupivacaine alone.
Keyword :
Transversus abdominis plane block, Bupivacaine, Dexamethasone, Surgical TAP block, Caesarean delivery.