COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TRAMADOL BASED ANALGESIA VS TAP BLOCK IN POST-OPERATIVE PAIN AFTER MIDLINE SURGERY

Objectives: The purpose of this study was therefore to evaluate the efficacy of tramadol based analgesia compared to TAP block in midline surgery. Materials and Methods: Overall, one hundred patients (n=100) who had been posted for midline abdominal surgery were randomised to receive either tramadol-based analgesia (Group T) or TAP block (Group B). Postoperative pain severity was compared using the VAS scores obtained at 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours following the procedure. The primary endpoints were self-reported pain and the number of oxycodone tablets taken, as well as patients' satisfaction levels. Results: The TAP block group had equally lower pain intensity measurements at all the postoperative time intervals than the tramadol group. Furthermore, opioid use decreased, and patient satisfaction increased in the TAP block group. Some of the adverse effects, like nausea and dizziness, were reported to be more frequent in patients who were administered tramadol. Conclusion: This study established that with TAP block, patients experienced less postoperative pain as compared to those given tramadol, lower opioid consumption and a higher level of satisfaction. It is used as a postoperative analgesic for midline abdominal surgeries.