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Comparative Evaluation of Ropivacaine and Ropivacaine with Dexamethasone in Transverse Abdominis Plane Block for Lower Abdominal Surgeries: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded Study

Context: Dexamethasone as an adjunct to ropivacaine has shown promising results in prolonging the duration of analgesia in transverse abdominis plane (TAP) block. Only limited studies evaluated the effects of dexamethasone with ropivacaine in TAP block in specific population. Aims: The effects of adding dexamethasone to ropivacaine on the quality and duration of TAP block in lower abdominal surgeries in multiple specialties were studied. Settings and Design: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. Subjects and Methods: Seventy adult patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries were allocated into two groups to receive general anesthesia with TAP block with 20 ml 0.25% ropivacaine with 8 mg dexamethasone (2 ml) (Group A, n = 35) or 20 mL 0.25% ropivacaine with 2 ml saline (Group B, n = 35) each side. The analgesic efficacy in terms of pain scores, morphine consumption, and occurrence of nausea and vomiting was compared between two groups. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed with SPSS 23 with independent t-test and Chi-square test as applicable. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The duration of analgesia was significantly prolonged in Group A (P = 0.000). The total morphine consumption was significantly lesser in Group A (P = 0.000). The pain scores (numerical pain intensity scale) were significantly lesser in Group A till the 8th postoperative hours. The occurrence of nausea and vomiting was comparable between the groups (P = 0.3821). Conclusions: Addition of dexamethasone to ropivacaine significantly improved the quality of analgesia with reduced consumption of opioids as compared to plain ropivacaine in TAP block.