Comparative Study of Hernia Block with Bupivacaine Alone and Bupivacaine plus Dexamethasone as Adjuvant for Open Hernia Repair at Day Care Unit

Introduction: Continuous research were undertaken in past to see the effect of anesthetic agent with adjuvant agents to increase their effect. The addition of adjuvant substances as clonidine, Dexmedetomidine, tramadol, midazolam, opioids, adenosine, to the local anesthetic drugs in TAPB and their efficiency have been studied. Hence the aim of the present study was to check the effect of Bupivacaine alone and Bupivicaine plus Dexamethasone in hernia block. Material & Methods: The total of 60 patients with age range from 30 to 60 years was included in the study. All the 60 patients were divided in to two groups, with 30 patients in each group. Group 1 consisted of 30 patients were administered with 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine in a TAP block performed at the same side of surgery to be performed. Group II consisted of 30 patients; were administered with 20 ml of 0.5% bupivicaine with 2 ml of dexamethasone in a TAP block performed at the same side of surgery. Results: In the present study, the duration of analgesia was found to be significantly longer in the Group II when compared to Group I. VAS scores done 30 minutes after surgery were comparable between the 2 Groups. However the different was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Appropriate pain treatment protocols to reduce postoperative morbidity, improve the results of the surgery and decrease hospital costs. Adequate postoperative pain relief is associated with positive long-term effects for patients such as; reduced postoperative cognitive changes, better quality of life and reduced risk of chronic or persistent postoperative pain. On reviewing the literature it was found that local anesthesia has more advantages compared to other kind of anaesthesia. A potential advantage of local anesthesia realized without any monitoring or additional drugs administered intravenously.