Comparative study of ropivacaine and ropivacaine with dexmedetomidine in ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block for post operative analgesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomies

Abstract

Background and aims: TAP block is an effective way to provide postoperative analgesia .TAP block using ropivacaine alone has not been consistently proven to be effective in alleviating pain after laparoscopic surgeries. The study aimed to compare the combination of dexmedetomidine and ropivacaine to ropivacaine alone in TAP block for laparascopic cholecystectomy patients for post operative analgesia. Materials and Methods: 60 patients of ASA health status I or II, were divided equally into 2 groups. Groups R received bilateral US- TAP blocks with 20 mL 0.375% Ropivacaine and Group RD received, 20 ml 0.375% ropivacaine with 50μg dexmedetomidine. Each patient was assessed in the PACU for first 24 hr for pain duration of analgesia,and need for rescue analgesic. Results: The mean of VAS pain score was least in group RD compared to group R and statistically significant (P < 0.05).The total rescue analgesia ( tramadol ) consumption in 24 h after surgery was (116.6±37.9) mg in group RD against (160±67.4) mg in group R, which was also statistically significant (P < 0.05). Duration of analgesia was greater in group RD (7.7 ± .53) compared to group R (4.5 ± .56).