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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a technique proposed to minimise pain after anterior iliac crest bone harvesting. This study aims to evaluate the postoperative pain in patients who receive ultrasound-guided TAP block to supplement routine wound infiltration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 143 patients aged between 6 and 22 years were randomised into two groups. Patients in group A received supplemental TAP block on the same side. Patients in group B received local anesthetic wound infiltration alone. Pain scores were compared at the first and 24th postoperative hours. RESULTS: TAP block significantly reduced pain and delirium in the immediate postoperative period. The mean FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) score after 10 min was 0.8 in group A versus 1.8 in group B (P = 0.001). The mean Watcha scale at 10 min was 1.0 in group A versus 1.2 in group B (P = 0.001). After 24 h, 81.7% of patients in group A had no pain versus 59.7% in group B (P = 0.004). The incidence of intolerable pain at 24 h was 5.6% in group B versus 0% in group A (P = 0.04). Cumulative ambulation scores were significantly better in group A (P < 0.05). There was a strong and positive correlation between the analgesia and ability to ambulate comfortably at 24 h postop (Pearson's coefficient 0.95). CONCLUSION: Supplemental ultrasound-guided TAP block given intraoperatively reduces the postoperative pain. The incidence of emergence delirium was low. These patients were also able to ambulate earlier.
RESUMEN
Background and Aims: The effect of a single intraoperative dose of steroids on perioperative blood sugar levels is uncertain. We hypothesised that a single dose of dexamethasone would not unfavourably alter the glucose levels of non-diabetic patients. This study aimed to evaluate the post-operative glycaemic profile after a single dose of intraoperative dexamethasone in non-diabetic patients. The presence of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), pain, surgical site infection (SSI) and length of hospital stay were also evaluated. Methods: This randomised, double-blind, controlled study was done by recruiting 150 non-diabetic adult patients of the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I/II undergoing elective surgery. Patients in the study group were administered a single dose of dexamethasone (0.15 mg/kg). Blood glucose levels were assessed at various time points for up to 72 hours post-operatively using point-of-care testing. Secondary outcomes such as PONV, pain, fever and SSI were also documented. Data were compared and analysed using Student's t-test, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test and analysis of variance test. Results: There was an earlier, higher and prolonged elevation in blood glucose levels in patients receiving dexamethasone. The mean (standard deviation) of fasting/postprandial blood sugars on the first, second and third postoperative days respectively was significantly higher in the study group 98.04 (21.89)/139.16 (20.59), 96.64 (19.20)/138.17 (18.05), 96.60 (17.40)/138.32 (15.10) mg/dl as compared to control group 86.9 6 (10.28)/128.95 (10.53), 88.81 (8.87)/131.97 (9.68), 88.16 (8.50)/130.88 (9.48) mg/dl. About 10.7% of the patients who received dexamethasone had blood glucose levels greater than 180 mg/dl. There were no significant differences in the secondary outcomes. Conclusion: Even a single dose of dexamethasone in non-diabetic adults causes significant and prolonged postoperative hyperglycaemia.