International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research  |  e-ISSN: 2582-8940  |  Double-Blind Peer Review  |  Open Access  |  CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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     2026:7/4

International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research

e-ISSN: 2582-8940 | Open Access

A Comparative Study Between Tramadol and Dexmedetomidine as Adjuvant to Bupivacaine Through Ultrasound-Guided Transverse Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Lower Abdominal Surgery

Dr. Mitul Meghani, Dr. Neeraj, Dr. Sobhit Kaushik, Dr. Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat

G.S. Medical College and Hospital, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India

Article Information

Volume / Issue7 / 2 (April-June 2026)
Pages101-112
AccessOpen Access

Publication Timeline

  • Received05 March 2026
  • Accepted04 April 2026
  • Published

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Abstract

Background: Transverse abdominis plane (TAP) block has emerged as an effective regional anesthesia technique for postoperative analgesia following lower abdominal surgeries. The addition of adjuvants to local anesthetics may enhance the duration and quality of analgesia.
Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of tramadol versus dexmedetomidine as adjuvants to bupivacaine in ultrasound-guided TAP block for postoperative pain management in lower abdominal surgeries.
Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-blind study included 90 patients undergoing elective lower abdominal surgeries. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups: Group B (bupivacaine alone), Group BT (bupivacaine with tramadol), and Group BD (bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine). Primary outcomes included duration of analgesia, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, and rescue analgesic requirements. Secondary outcomes assessed hemodynamic parameters and adverse effects.
Results: Group BD demonstrated significantly longer duration of analgesia (18.4 ± 2.3 hours) compared to Group BT (12.6 ± 1.8 hours) and Group B (8.2 ± 1.5 hours) (p<0.001). VAS scores were significantly lower in Group BD at all time points. Rescue analgesic requirement was lowest in Group BD. Both adjuvant groups showed stable hemodynamics with minimal side effects.
Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in ultrasound-guided TAP block provides superior and prolonged postoperative analgesia compared to tramadol, with an acceptable safety profile.

Keywords

Transverse abdominis plane blockBupivacaineTramadolDexmedetomidinePostoperative analgesiaLower abdominal surgery

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How to Cite

Meghani, M., Neeraj, Kaushik, S., & Bhat, I. A. (2026). A Comparative Study Between Tramadol and Dexmedetomidine as Adjuvant to Bupivacaine Through Ultrasound-Guided Transverse Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Lower Abdominal Surgery. International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, 7(2), 101-112.

Meghani, Mitul, et al. "A Comparative Study Between Tramadol and Dexmedetomidine as Adjuvant to Bupivacaine Through Ultrasound-Guided Transverse Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Lower Abdominal Surgery." International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, vol. 7, no. 2, 2026, pp. 101-112.

Meghani, M., Neeraj, Kaushik, S. and Bhat, I. A. (2026) 'A Comparative Study Between Tramadol and Dexmedetomidine as Adjuvant to Bupivacaine Through Ultrasound-Guided Transverse Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Lower Abdominal Surgery', International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research, 7(2), pp. 101-112.

Meghani M, Neeraj, Kaushik S, Bhat IA. A Comparative Study Between Tramadol and Dexmedetomidine as Adjuvant to Bupivacaine Through Ultrasound-Guided Transverse Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Lower Abdominal Surgery. International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research. 2026;7(2):101-112.

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