BUPIVACAINE WITH MAGNESIUM SULPHATE VS BUPIVACAINE ALONE IN TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINIS PLANE BLOCK FOR POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA IN TOTALABDOMINAL HYSTERECTOMY PATIENTS: A RANDOMISED CONTROL TRIAL.

Abstract

Background: Postoperative (PO) pain relief following major surgeries had been a challenging task. Adequate pain control is essential for early mobilisation and wellbeing of surgical patients. Incidence of PO pain following abdominal surgeries is higher when transverse lower abdominal incisions are done as in Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (TAH). Performing Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block reduces the PO pain. Various adjuvants like clonidine, epinephrine and magnesium sulphate have been added to local anaesthetics to prolong the duration of TAPblock. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adding MgSO4 as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in TAP block for PO analgesia in patients undergoing TAH under spinal anaesthesia. Methods: 100 patients belonging to ASA1 or 2 scheduled for TAH under Sub Arachnoid Block (SAB) were randomly assigned into two groups- BM and B. All patients were given SAB with 15 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine and TAH was done. USG guided TAPblock was given once SAB sensory level regressed to T8 dermatome. Group BM received 16ml 0.25% Bupivacaine (40mg) with 150 mg magnesium sulphate injected on each side while Group B received 16 ml 0.25% Bupivacaine only. Patients were asked to rate their pain on a 10 cm VAS scale at time 0 (time of completion of TAPblock),2,4,6,12 and 24 hours. Rescue analgesia with Inj. morphine was provided whenever VAS score was > 3. Results: Patients in magnesium sulphate group had prolonged analgesia as compared to the control group. The heart rate and blood pressure response were signicantly lower in that group. Morphine requirement for PO analgesia was also signicantly reduced in group BM. No complications were seen in either group. Conclusion: Adding Magnesium sulphate to Bupivacaine in TAP block in TAH patients prolonged the duration of PO analgesia.