Actively Recruiting
Comparison of Dexamethasone Versus Dexmedetomidine Added to 0.25% Bupivacaine in Ultrasound-Guided TAP Block for Postoperative Pain Relief in Laparotomy Patients
Led by Sahiwal medical college sahiwal · Updated on 2026-05-15
96
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
4 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the use of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with different adjuvants to improve pain relief after laparotomy surgery. This study compares the addition of dexamethasone or dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in patients aged 25 to 65 years with ASA Class I or II status. The goal is to assess which combination provides longer-lasting postoperative analgesia and reduces the need for additional pain medication. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A receives a TAP block with 18ml of 0.25% bupivacaine plus 2ml of dexamethasone (8mg). Group B receives the same bupivacaine dose plus 2ml of dexmedetomidine (1µg/kg diluted in saline). The TAP block is administered bilaterally under ultrasound guidance immediately after surgery, using a needle guided between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. Patients are monitored for complications like local anesthetic toxicity or hematoma. During the 24-hour postoperative period, patients' pain levels will be measured using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at several time points. If pain is insufficiently controlled (VAS ≥4), rescue analgesia with IV ketorolac will be provided and the time to first rescue dose recorded. Additional assessments include monitoring nausea, vomiting, heart rate, and blood pressure. The primary outcome is the duration until the first request for rescue analgesia, with secondary outcomes focused on pain scores over 24 hours.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
"Dexa vs Dexmedetomidine With Bupivacaine in TAP Block for Laparotomy Analgesia
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patients undergoing laparotomy.
- Patients aged 25 to 65 years.
- Both genders.
- Patients with ASA Class I or II.
You will not qualify if you...
- Patients who do not give consent.
- Patients with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, or chronic liver disease.
- Patients with bleeding disorders.
- Infection at the site of injection.
- Allergy to any drug, local anesthetic, or other drugs used in the study.
- Patients with polytrauma.
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Single administration at surgery end
At the end of surgery, participants receive a bilateral Ultrasound-guided TAP block with either Bupivacaine plus Dexamethasone or Bupivacaine plus Dexmedetomidine for postoperative pain relief.
1 treatment visit (in-person)
Duration - 24 hours
Participants are observed postoperatively with pain assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores at multiple time points and monitored for complications or need for rescue analgesia.
Visits at arrival to PACU and at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours post-operative
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Sahiwal Medical College
Sahiwal, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 57000
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
D
Dr Maryam Mumtaz, MBBS
D
Dr Muhammad Shahid
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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