Ultrasonic prediction of weaning failure in children undergoing cardiac surgery: A prospective observational study.

Background and Aim: To assess the utility of ultrasonic markers like B-line score (LUS), diaphragm thickness (DT), thickening fraction (DTF), and excursion (DE) as predictors of weaning outcomes in children on mechanical ventilation (MV) after cardiac surgery. Methods: This was a prospective observational study done in postcardiac surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital. Children aged 1 month to 18 years, on MV after cardiac surgery from January to November 2017, were included. They were extubated after satisfying institutional weaning criteria. Ultrasound for LUS, DT, DTF, and DE was performed preoperatively, during pressure support ventilation (PSV) before extubation and 4 h after extubation. Results: Patients were divided into weaning failure and success groups based on reintubation within 48 h of extubation. Of the 50 evaluated patients, 43 (86%) were weaned successfully and 7 (14%) had weaning failure. The left DTF during PSV was lower in patients weaning failure (0.00%, interquartile range (IQR) 0.00-14.28 vs 16.67%, IQR 8.33-22.20, P = 0. 012). The left DTF≤ 14.64% during PSV (area under receiver's operating curve 0.795, P = 0.014), 85% sensitivity, and 57% specificity (positive likelihood ratio 1.97, negative likelihood ratio 0.25) could predict weaning failure. Conclusion: The left DTF during PSV is a good predictor of weaning failure in children on MV in postoperative ICU after congenital cardiac surgery. Take home message: In children on mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery, left DTF during pressure support ventilation is a good predictor of weaning failure.

Utility of portal vein pulsatility fraction in patients undergoing corrective surgery for tetralogy of Fallot.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricle dysfunction is common after corrective surgery for tetralogy of Fallot and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to determine whether an increased portal vein pulsatility fraction (PVPF) was associated with worse clinical outcomes. METHODS: In a prospective, observational, single-centre study, PVPF and other commonly used parameters of right ventricle function were assessed in patients of all ages undergoing corrective surgery for tetralogy of Fallot intraoperatively, with transesophageal echocardiography, before and after bypass, and post-operatively, with transthoracic echocardiography, at days 1, 2, at extubation, and at ICU discharge. The correlation was tested between PVPF and mechanical ventilation duration, prolonged ICU stay, mortality, and right ventricle function. RESULTS: The study included 52 patients, and mortality was in 3 patients. PVPF measurement was feasible in 96% of the examinations. PVPF in the immediate post-operative period had sensitivity of 73.3% and a specificity of 74.3% in predicting the occurrence of the composite outcome of prolonged mechanical ventilation, ICU stay, or mortality. There was a moderate negative correlation of PVPF with right ventricle fractional area change and right ventricle global longitudinal strain (r = -0.577, p < 0.001 and r = 0.465, p < 0.001, respectively) and a strong positive correlation with abnormal hepatic vein waveform (rho = 0.749, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PVPF is an easily obtainable bedside parameter to assess right ventricular dysfunction and predict prolonged mechanical ventilation, prolonged ICU stay, and mortality.

Effect of perioperative use of oral triidothyronine for infants undergoing complex congenital cardiac surgeries under cardiopulmonary bypass: A double-blinded randomised controlled study.

Background: Thyroid hormone metabolism disrupts after cardiopulmonary bypass both in adults and pediatric patients. This is known as Euthyroid sick syndrome, and it is more evident in pediatric patients who were undergoing complex cardiac surgeries compared to adults. This decrease in serum T3 levels increases the incidence of low cardiac output, requirement of inotropes, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Aims and Objectives: The primary objective was to compare the mean Vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) at 72 hours postoperatively between T3 and Placebo groups. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients were screened, and 88 patients were included in the study. Triidothyronine 1 mic/kg 10 doses 8th hourly was given orally postoperatively to cases and sugar sachets to controls. The blood samples for analysis of FT3, FT4, and TSH were taken every 24 hours postoperatively, and baseline values were taken after induction. Mean VIS scores, ejection Fraction (EF), Left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (LVOT VTi), hemodynamics and partial pressure of oxygen/ fraction of inspired oxygen(PaO2/FiO2) were recorded daily. Results: The Mean VIS scores at 72 Hours postoperatively were significantly less in the T3 group (5.49 ± 6.2) compared to the Placebo group (13.6 ± 11.7). The PaO2/FiO2 ratios were comparatively more in the T3 group than the Placebo group. The serum levels of FT3 FT4 were significantly higher in the T3-supplemented group than the Placebo group. The VIS scores were significantly lower from 48 hours postoperatively in children < 6 months of age. Conclusion: In this study, we observed that supplementing T3 postoperatively decreases the ionotropic requirement from 72 hours postoperatively. This is more useful in children <6 months of age undergoing complex cardiac surgeries.

Evaluation of indigenously developed closed-loop automated blood pressure control system (claps): a preliminary study.

Closed-loop systems have been designed to assist anesthetists in controlling anesthetic drugs and also maintaining the stability of various physiological variables in the normal range. In the present study, we describe and clinically evaluated a novel closed-loop automated blood pressure control system (CLAPS) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. Forty ASA II-IV adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were randomly allocated to receive adrenaline, noradrenaline, phenylephrine and nitroglycerine (NTG) adjusted either through CLAPS (CLAPS group) or manually (Manual group). The desired target mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) for each patient in both groups was set by the attending anesthesiologist. The hemodynamic performance was assessed based on the percentage duration of time the MAP remained within 20% of the set target. Automated controller performances were compared using performance error criteria of Varvel (MDPE, MDAPE, Wobble) and Global Score. MAP was maintained a significantly longer proportion of time within 20% of the target in the CLAPS group (79.4% vs. 65.5% p < 0.001, 't' test) as compared to the manual group. Median absolute performance error, wobble, and Global score was significantly lower in the CLAPS group. Hemodynamic stability was achieved with a significantly lower dose of Phenyepherine in the CLAPS group (1870 µg vs. 5400 µg, p < 0.05, 't' test). The dose of NTG was significantly higher in the CLAPS group (3070 µg vs. 1600 µg, p-value < 0.05, 't' test). The cardiac index and left ventricular end-diastolic area were comparable between the groups. Automated infusion of vasoactive drugs using CLAPS is feasible and also better than manual control for controlling hemodynamics during cardiac surgery. Trial registration number and date This trial was registered in the Clinical Trial Registry of India under Registration Number CTRI/2018/01/011487 (Retrospective; registration date; January 23, 2018).

Goal-directed Fluid Therapy Versus Conventional Fluid Therapy During Craniotomy and Clipping of Cerebral Aneurysm: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Fluid imbalance is common after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and negatively impacts clinical outcomes. We compared intraoperative goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) using left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (LVOT-VTI) measured by transesophageal echocardiography with central venous pressure (CVP)-guided fluid therapy during aneurysm clipping in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. METHODS: Fifty adults scheduled for urgent craniotomy for aneurysm clipping were randomly allocated to 2 groups: group G (n=25) received GDFT guided by LVOT-VTI and group C (n=25) received CVP-guided fluid management. The primary outcome was intraoperative mean arterial pressure (MAP). Secondary outcomes included volume of fluid administered and several other intraoperative and postoperative variables, including neurological outcome at hospital discharge and at 30 and 90 days. RESULTS: There was no difference in MAP between the 2 groups despite patients in group G receiving lower volumes of fluid compared with patients in group C (2503.6±534.3 vs. 3732.8±676.5 mL, respectively; P <0.0001). Heart rate and diastolic blood pressure were also comparable between groups, whereas systolic blood pressure was higher in group G than in group C at several intraoperative time points. Other intraoperative variables, including blood loss, urine output, and lactate levels were not different between the 2 groups. Postoperative variables, including creatinine, duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay, and incidence of acute kidney injury, pneumonitis, and vasospasm were also comparable between groups. There was no difference in neurological outcome at hospital discharge (modified Rankin scale) and at 30 and 90 days (Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale) between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Compared with CVP-guided fluid therapy, transesophageal echocardiography-guided GDFT maintains MAP with lower volumes of intravenous fluid in patients undergoing clipping of intracranial aneurysms with no adverse impact on postoperative complications.

Fetal cardiac intervention and fetal cardiac surgery: where are we in 21st century?

Fetal cardiac intervention is an in-utero cardiac procedure done in fetuses with heart diseases like severe aortic stenosis with evolving hypoplastic left heart syndrome, hypoplastic left heart syndrome with an intact or restricted atrial septum, pulmonary atresia with an intact ventricular septum, fetal heart block obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous return, pericardial collection. The successful biventricular repair can be done in postnatal life after aortic or pulmonary valvuloplasty. Fetal bypass is very challenging because of different physiology. Low prime volume with the high flow can be used to prevent an inflammatory response.

Implications of left atrial enlargement and patent foramen ovale creation on early surgical outcomes in patients with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC), left atrium (LA) is small and suprasystemic pulmonary artery (PA) pressures may be present in some patients. In our study, we studied the relationship between surgical LA enlargement and patent foramen ovale (PFO) creation separately on the outcomes of patients with TAPVC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of the 130 patients operated in our institute between January 2014 and December 2020, LA was enlarged in 60 patients. LA enlargement was done using a larger patch for atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. Thus, the LA volume was increased by shifting the patch towards the right atrium (RA). Suprasystemic or high PA pressures were present in 60 patients. In 33 patients, PFO was created. Early surgical outcomes were determined on the basis of vasoactive inotropic score (VIS), hours of ventilation, hours of inotropic support, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and hospital stay. RESULT: Between the LA enlarged and nonenlarged group there was statistically significant less VIS score (18 [13-27.5] vs. 24 [18-30], p value .019), hours of ventilation (23 [16-46.5] vs. 26 [18-60], p value .039), hours of inotropic support (45.5 [30-72] vs. 55 [38-84], p value .038), and ICU stay (7 [5-9] vs. 8 [7-10] p value .0352) and statistically nonsignificant less hospital stay (11.5 [9-13] vs. 12 [9-14], p value .424). In patients with preoperative suprasystemic or high PA pressures, there was a statistically significant less VIS score (16 [11-23.5] vs. 18 [13-25], p value .044), hours of ventilation (20 [14-37] vs. 22 [18-39], p value .038), hours of inotropic support (34 [29.5-71] vs. 38 [30-78], p value .042), and hospital stay (9 [5-12] vs. 11 [9-14], p value .038) and statistically nonsignificant less ICU stay (7 [5.5-9] vs. 7 [6-9], p value .886) in the group with a PFO with respect to the other group in which no PFO was created. CONCLUSION: In patients with TAPVC, LA can be enlarged by using a large ASD patch and thus shifting the septum towards RA. Early surgical outcomes were improved with LA enlargement. In patients with suprasystemic or high PA pressures, leaving a PFO improved the postoperative outcomes.

Successful medical management of fungal infective endocarditis post VSD closure.

Fungal infective endocarditis (IE) is uncommon in postoperative cardiac surgical patients. The fungal IE accounts for 1.3'-6.8' of all IE cases and is considered the most severe form with a mortality rate as high as 45'-50'. There are various predisposing factors for fungal IE which include congenital heart defects, cardiac interventions like pacemaker insertion, degenerative valvular heart diseases, long-term use of broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, and long-term use of central venous. Mortality can reach up to 100' without specific treatment. Definitive therapy necessitates surgical debridement of vegetations/mass/abscess followed by long-term treatment with antifungal agents in patients who have symptoms of heart failure despite optimum medical management. We, hereby, report a case of fungal IE which occurred after the closure of a ventricular septal defect and was treated successfully with liposomal amphotericin B.

Postoperative hemodynamics after high spinal block with or without intrathecal morphine in cardiac surgical patients: a randomized-controlled trial.

PURPOSE: There is some evidence for the use of intrathecal morphine as a means to provide prolonged analgesia in selective cardiac surgical patients; however, the hemodynamic effects of intrathecal morphine are not well defined. This study was designed to study the effect of intrathecal morphine on hemodynamic parameters in cardiac surgery patients. METHODS: In a prospective, double-blind study, 100 adult cardiac surgical patients were randomized to receive either intrathecal 40 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine alone (intrathecal bupivacaine [ITB] group, n = 50) or intrathecal 250 µg of morphine added to 40 mg of 0.5% bupivacaine (intrathecal bupivacaine and morphine [ITBM] group, n = 50). Hemodynamic data, pain scores, rescue analgesic use, spirometry, and vasopressor use were recorded every four hours after surgery for 48 hr. The primary outcome was the incidence of vasoplegia in each group, which was defined as a cardiac index > 2.2 L·min-1·m-2 with the requirement of vasopressors to maintain the mean arterial pressure > 60 mmHg with the hemodynamic episode lasting > four hours. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were analyzed (ITB group, n = 42, and ITBM group, n =45). The incidence of vasoplegia was higher in the ITBM group than in the ITB group [14 (31%) vs 5 (12%), respectively; relative risk, 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 6.6; P = 0.04]. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) duration of vasoplegia was significantly longer in the ITBM group than in the ITB group [8.9 (3.0) hr vs 4.3 (0.4) hr, respectively; difference in means, 4.6; 95% CI, 3.7 to 5.5; P < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Intrathecal morphine added to bupivacaine for high spinal anesthesia increases the incidence and duration of vasoplegia in cardiac surgery patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02825056); registered 19 June 2016.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF : Certaines données probantes appuient l'utilisation de morphine intrathécale pour une analgésie prolongée chez certains patients de chirurgie cardiaque; cependant, les effets hémodynamiques de la morphine intrathécale ne sont pas bien définis. Cette étude a été conçue pour évaluer l'effet de la morphine intrathécale sur les paramètres hémodynamiques de patients de chirurgie cardiaque. MéTHODE : Dans une étude prospective et à double insu, 100 patients adultes de chirurgie cardiaque ont été randomisés à recevoir 40 mg de bupivacaïne hyperbare 0,5 % intrathécale (groupe bupivacaïne intrathécale [BIT], n = 50) ou 250 µg de morphine intrathécale ajoutés à 40 mg de bupivacaïne 0,5 % (groupe bupivacaïne et morphine intrathécales [BMIT], n = 50). Les données hémodynamiques, les scores de douleur, l'utilisation d'analgésiques, la spirométrie et l'utilisation de vasopresseurs ont été enregistrés toutes les quatre heures après la chirurgie pendant 48 heures. Le critère d'évaluation principal était l'incidence de vasoplégie dans chaque groupe, définie comme un index cardiaque > 2,2 L·min-1·m2 nécessitant des vasopresseurs pour maintenir la tension artérielle moyenne > 60 mmHg avec une durée de plus de quatre heures. RéSULTATS : Quatre-vingt-sept patients ont été analysés (groupe BIT, n = 42, et groupe BMIT, n = 45). L'incidence de vasoplégie était plus élevée dans le groupe BMIT que dans le groupe BIT [14 (31%) vs 5 (12 %), respectivement; risque relatif, 2,6; intervalle de confiance [IC] 95 %, 1,0 à 6,6; P = 0,04]. La durée moyenne (écart type [ÉT]) de la vasoplégie était significativement plus longue dans le groupe BMIT que dans le groupe BIT [8,9 (3,0) h vs 4,3 (0,4) h, respectivement; différence de moyennes, 4,6; IC 95 %, 3,7 à 5,5; P < 0,001]. CONCLUSION : L'ajout de morphine intrathécale à la bupivacaïne pour une anesthésie rachidienne haute augmente l'incidence et la durée de la vasoplégie chez les patients de chirurgie cardiaque. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE : www.clinicaltrials.gov ; (NCT02825056); enregistrée le 19 juin 2016.

Mixed type total anomalous pulmonary venous connection: Early results and midterm outcomes of surgical correction.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The morphological heterogeneity of anomalous pulmonary venous drainage in mixed type total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) has important implications in preoperative diagnosis and surgical repair resulting in high mortality in these patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of 14 patients with mixed type TAPVC undergoing biventricular repair between January 2012 and December 2019 was conducted. A descriptive analysis was done, highlighting the anatomic variation, diagnostic and surgical approach, and surgical outcomes in these patients. RESULTS: The most common anatomic pattern was "3 by 1" (79%) followed by "2 by 2" (21%). The correct diagnosis by transthoracic echocardiography was made in 10 (71%) of the 14 patients. In contrast, preoperative computed tomographic (CT) angiography was performed in 10 patients and correct diagnosis was obtained in 8 (80%) of them. Pulmonary venous obstruction was seen in one patient before surgery. The in-hospital mortality was 14% (2/14). Four patients had pulmonary hypertensive crisis in the postoperative period. The average follow-up was 54 ± 27 months (range: 17-98 months) after surgical repair, and all surviving patients were asymptomatic. There was no late death. No clinically apparent sequelae were seen in six patients in whom isolated left superior pulmonary vein drainage was left uncorrected. CONCLUSION: An accurate diagnosis of anatomic pattern in mixed type TAPVC can be difficult to establish in all the patients before surgery. Detailed intraoperative assessment, individualized surgical approach, and aggressive perioperative management may reduce surgical mortality. Operative survivors have good midterm outcome.

Management of thrombosis of carotid arteries in acute type A aortic dissection in neurologically intact patients: our experience.

The extension of aortic dissection into common carotid arteries can cause thrombus formation in false lumen. This may result in perioperative cerebral malperfusion and stroke. At present there are no specific management guidelines in this situation. We report our experience of operative and non-operative management of thrombosis of carotid arteries in type A acute aortic dissection in 3 patients.

Supravalvular pulmonary stenosis 9 years after surgically created pleuro-pericardial window.

Supravalvular pulmonary stenosis acquired as a postoperative cardiac procedure complication is relatively common. However, that occurring after a surgically created pleuro-pericardial window has not been described until now, to the best of our knowledge. We present a case of acquired supravalvular pulmonary stenosis that developed 9 years after the pleuro-pericardial window creation for pyopericardium due to a constricting pericardial band. The child underwent successful surgical relief of the stenosis along with repair of the atrial and ventricular septal defects.

An Alternative Technique of Off-Pump Glenn Procedure.

The bidirectional Glenn surgery is a life-saving palliative surgery in patients with univentricular cardiac anatomy and physiology. This procedure can be performed either under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) or off CPB. In this article, we will present a new innovative technique, which was performed on 6 individuals of age ranging from 2 to 18 years and followed up over a few months, which is effective, less morbid, as well as simple, safe, economically more viable, and is easily reproducible.

Ebstein's anomaly of tricuspid valve with aortic stenosis and coarctation of aorta: Successful single-stage repair of a rare adult congenital heart disease.

Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve is infrequently associated with left heart anomalies. The association of aortic stenosis in Ebstein's anomaly has been reported to be extremely rare and the association of coarctation of aorta is even rarer especially in adults. The combination of all three of these lesions is virtually unknown without any references in literature. We report here an unusual case of Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve and severe aortic stenosis with coarctation of aorta in an adult who presented to us with exertional dyspnoea in the third decade and underwent a successful single-stage intracardiac repair.

Pulmonary valve neocuspidisation with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium-A novel technique in pulmonary valve endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious condition leading to heart failure, persistent sepsis. The management of IE involving valve is mainly excision of the infected valve and replacement with a heart valve; which are also at the risk of prosthetic valve endocarditis. Hence repair of the valve with autologous pericardium is much more physiological. We had a 20-year-old male presented with features of heart failure and high-grade fever not responding to optimum medical management. Two-dimensional echocardiogram revealed vegetation on pulmonary valve cusps with the erosion of the left and right cusps. Neo cusps with autologous pericardium offered good hemodynamics with trivial regurgitation. The patient is doing well with normal pulmonary valve function 3 months after surgery. This technique is reliable, economic, and easily reproducible.

Enhanced recovery after surgery with intrathecal opioid in a patient of Gilbert's syndrome undergoing mitral valve replacement.

Gilbert's syndrome, an inherited autosomal dominant disorder, is the most common cause of congenital unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. We report the anaesthetic management of a 46-year-old female with Gilbert's syndrome operated for mitral valve replacement (MVR), with a special focus on the role of intrathecal opioids.

Surrogate indices of aortic peak systolic velocity variation to monitor fluid responsiveness in pediatric non-cardiac surgery: a prospective observational study.

Aortic peak systolic velocity variation (ΔVpeakAo) is a reliable dynamic indicator of preload in mechanically ventilated children. However, easily measurable alternative parameters like carotid peak systolic velocity variation (ΔVpeakCa) and suprasternal peak systolic velocity variation (ΔVpeakSs) are not well evaluated in children. The aim of the study was to find correlation between ΔVpeakCa and ΔVpeakSs to ΔVpeakAo, as potential surrogate markers of fluid responsiveness. 52 children, 1-12 years old, undergoing major non-cardiac surgeries under general endotracheal anaesthesia were recruited for this single-centre prospective observational study. ΔVpeakAo, ΔVpeakCa and ΔVpeakSs were measured by pulsed wave Doppler in appropriate windows, measuring maximum and minimum peak flow velocity over a single respiratory cycle. Calculated parameters were compared by a repeated measures study design. Correlation coefficients were 0.82 between ΔVpeakAo and ΔVpeakSs and 0.73 between ΔVpeakAo and ΔVpeakCa. Bland-Altman analysis showed minimal bias of 1.86 percentage points with limits of agreement of 11.21 to - 7.49 (ΔVpeakAo and ΔVpeakSs) and 3.93 percentage points with limits of agreement of 14.04 to - 6.18 (ΔVpeakAo and ΔVpeakCa). ΔVpeakSs and ΔVpeakCa also showed good discrimination to predict ΔVpeakAo (lying in previously validated fluid responsive zones) with sensitivities and specificities of 82.25% and 85% with cut-off of 11% for ΔVpeakSs, and 88.52% and 70% with cut-off of 8.6% for ΔVpeakCa. Carotid peak systolic velocity variation (ΔVpeakCa) and suprasternal peak systolic velocity variation (ΔVpeakCa) can be potential surrogate markers for Aortic peak systolic velocity variation (ΔVpeakAo) in assessing fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated children.Study registration: Clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT03155555.

Effect of dexamethasone on analgesic efficacy of transverse abdominis plane block in laparoscopic gynecological procedures: A prospective randomized clinical study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dexamethasone has been increasingly used as an adjuvant to local anesthetics in peripheral nerve blocks with various studies showing an opioid sparing the effect of intravenous (IV) dexamethasone as well in a multimodal analgesia technique. It is not clear whether this effect of dexamethasone is because of its peripheral action or because of its systemic absorption. In our study, we compared the effectiveness of dexamethasone on duration of analgesia when used as an adjuvant with local anesthetic in transverse abdominis plane block (TAP) versus when given systemically by IV route along with block only, in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological procedures under general anesthesia (GA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized, parallel treatment, double-blinded study. The primary outcome of our study was the time to administration of first rescue analgesia. Forty patients were randomly assigned to perineural (PN) and IV Group using a computer-generated random numbers table and allocated using sealed opaque envelopes technique. After induction of GA, PN group received ultrasound guided TAP block with 15 ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine plus 4 mg (1 ml) dexamethasone on each side. Patients in IV group received TAP block on both sides with 15 ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine and 8 mg IV dexamethasone. RESULTS: Time to request for first rescue analgesia was 6.63 ± 1.5 h in PN group and 5.04 ± 1.7 h in IV group. Pain scores were comparable in both the groups. CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone administered in either of the routes has comparative effect on quality of analgesia of TAP block with 0.25% levobupivacaine.