Background and Aims:Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been proven as a safe and effective analgesic technique for several lower abdominal surgeries. Various adjuvants have been used to intensify the quality and prolong the local anesthetic effect. We evaluated the analgesic efficacy of dexamethasone addition to ropivacaine in TAP block following open abdominal hysterectomy.Materials and Methods:After clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee, a double-blind, prospective, randomized study was carried out on sixty patients aged 40–60 years posted for elective open abdominal hysterectomy comparing bilateral TAP block using 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine + 1 ml of 0.9% saline (control Group R) or 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine + 4 mg dexamethasone (Group RD). The aim of our study was to observe postoperative pain score (visual analog scale [VAS]), time for first analgesic (TFA) demand, total analgesic consumption, and incidence of nausea or vomiting.Statistical Analysis:Chi-square test and Student's t-test were used, and P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results:Postoperative VAS pain scores were significantly lower at 4, 6, and 12 h in Group RD as compared to Group R (P < 0.05). Significantly longer TFA (13.2 ± 7.6 vs. 7.1 ± 4.6 h, P < 0.001) with lesser tramadol requirement in first 24 h (50.2 ± 34 vs. 94 ± 35 mg, P < 0.001) were observed in Group RD as compared to Group R. Incidence of nausea or vomiting was statistically insignificant between the groups (P > 0.05).Conclusions:Addition of dexamethasone to ropivacaine TAP block prolonged the postoperative analgesia and reduced analgesic requirement following abdominal hysterectomy.

No abstract

No abstract

Background:Millions of women worldwide undergo postpartum perineal repair under local infiltration. Inadequate postpartum pain management can negatively impact a mother's physical and psychological recovery.Aims:To study and compare the analgesic effect and maternal satisfaction with lignocaine versus ropivacaine infiltration for postpartum perineal pain relief.Materials and Methods:After clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee, a double-blind prospective randomized study carried out on 100 parturients of aged 18–40 years who had spontaneous vaginal delivery, comparing 1% lignocaine and 0.75% ropivacaine infiltration for the repair of selective episiotomy or perineal injury. Time of the first analgesic (TFA) demand, maternal satisfaction at 24 h, and visual analog scale (VAS) pain score were studied.Statistical Analysis:Chi-square test and Student's t-test were used and P < 0.05 was considered as significant.Results:VAS pain score was significantly lower at 2 and 4 h in ropivacaine group versus lignocaine group (P < 0.0001). Significantly, longer TFA (10.2 ± 1.54 vs. 2.20 ± 0.44 h, P < 0.0001) and higher percentage of maternal satisfaction (86% vs. 44%) were observed in ropivacaine as compared to lignocaine group (P < 0.0001).Conclusions:Prolonged analgesia and higher rate of maternal satisfaction were found when ropivacaine infiltration was used for perineal repair as compared to lignocaine.