ABSTRACT : To assess the efficacy of fentanyl as an adjunct in TAP block for post operative analgesia following caesarean section

METHODS : Sixty patients scheduled for LSCS under SAB, randomized into group A and B (30 each). TAP block was performed bilaterally at the end of surgery. Group A received 40 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine and 80 μgm of fentanyl while group B received 40 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine alone. Total volume was divided equally and administered bilaterally. Time to rescue analgesia, pain using VAS score at rest and on movement, hemodynamic parameters, nausea, vomiting and sedation were assessed for 24 hours. Diclofenac 75 mg IM was used as rescue analgesic.

RESULTS : Time to rescue analgesia was approximately 6.5 hours in both the groups indicating that adjunct fentanyl had no added advantage. Group A showed no difference from group B when VAS score was compared.

CONCLUSIONS : The TAP block definitely has a role in providing superior analgesia in the post operative period. However, adjunct fentanyl to bupivacaine was found to have no added advantage. There was no complication attributed to TAP block in either of the groups.