Comparison of postoperative analgesic efficacy of epidural ropivacaine and ropivacaine with tramadol in adults undergoing abdominal surgeries under general anesthesia

Background: Pain is regarded as a complex experience consisting of sensory, physiological, psychological and behavioral components. Management of pain can be best achieved by an approach that takes into consideration, the complex interactions between psychological, biological and socio-cultural factors. Effective pain management requires thorough preparation of the patient and a structured inpatient service for prevention of postoperative pain. Local anesthetic Ropivacaine is preferred nowadays for epidural postoperative analgesia as it has favorable sensory block profile. The aim of the study: The aim of the study was to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of epidural Ropivacaine and Ropivacaine with Tramadol in adults undergoing abdominal surgeries under general anesthesia. Materials and methods: A total of 60 patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups of 30 in each into group R and group RT The study was a prospective non-randomized, double arm, single-blind, controlled study. The sample size was determined based on the study Postoperative analgesic efficacy of epidural Tramadol and adjuvant to Ropivacaine in adult upper abdominal surgeries” Patients who satisfied the above-mentioned inclusion criteria selected were counseled about the risks and benefits involved in the study. After getting consent, patients who were willing to be included in the study were enrolled and analyzed. Results: Our study showed the increased mean duration of postoperative analgesia, Ramsay sedation score in Ropivacaine with Tramadol group compared to the Ropivacaine group was statistically significant at the p-value was <0.0001. The association between pruritus status and intervention groups was considered to be nonsignificant since p-value was >0.05 as per Fisher's exact test. The association between heart rate, mean peripheral capillary oxygen saturation, mean respiratory rate in intervention groups was considered to be non-significant since p-value was > 0.05 as per unpaired t-test. Conclusion: From my study, I conclude that the addition of 1 mg/kg of Tramadol improves the postoperative analgesic efficacy of epidural 0.2% Ropivacaine by prolonging the duration of analgesia and providing good sedation with no significant hemodynamic alterations, nausea, vomiting and pruritus.