COMPARISON OF EFFICACY OF LEVOBUPIVACAINE IN TRANSVERSE ABDOMINIS PLANE BLOCK FOR POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CAESAREAN SECTION: A DOUBLE BLINDED, RANDOMIZED STUDY

Background: Dexamethasone has a long and efficient glucocorticoid structure and presents anti-inflammatory properties. When used as an adjuvant to local anaesthetics, it prolongs the duration of analgesia. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dexamethasone as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine in TAP block given to patients who underwent caesarean section.Materials & Methods: 70 patients posted for caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia were included in the study and divided into twogroups. Group A received bilateral 30 ml 0.25% levobupivacaine and 2 ml dexamethasone(8mg). Group B received bilateral 30 ml 0.25% levobupivacaine and 2 ml 0.9% NaCl in a TAP block performed with ultrasonography. The time needed for the first rescue analgesia in thepostoperative period was recorded. 24hr tramadol consumption & VAS was recorded.Results: Time for first analgesic administration (tramadol) was prolonged significantly in Group A (mean ± SD- 12.24 ± 1.22hrs) as compared to Group B (mean ± SD ‑ 8.37± 1.07 hrs), P < 0.0001. Tramadol requirement for 24hrs in Group A was 115.71± 16.89 mg and for Group B was 198.57± 22.64 mg, which was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). VAS was noted at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18 and 24 h. VAS was greatly reduced in group A for the first 8–10 h post‑operatively as compared to patients in group B.CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone when used as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine in TAP block, enhances the duration of block & decreases opioid consumption in the post- caesarean section patients.