This study investigates the effectiveness of adding dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries. The research compares pain relief in two groups: one receiving a combination of bupivacaine and dexmedetomidine via a transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, and the other receiving bupivacaine alone. The study aims to evaluate whether dexmedetomidine enhances pain relief, reduces the need for additional pain medication, and impacts sedation and side effects such as hypotension, bradycardia, and nausea. Conducted at Sheikh Zayed Medical College in Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan, the trial will involve 80 participants and will measure pain using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), along with monitoring other vital parameters and complications over 12 hours post-surgery. The primary objective is to determine if the addition of dexmedetomidine provides superior pain control without significantly increasing side effects.
Age between 21 to 45 years.
Undergoing elective abdominal surgery (exploratory laparotomy, ileostomy reversal, laparoscopic/open cholecystectomy, mesh repair of paraumbilical hernias).
The patient must be capable of providing informed consent.
Pregnancy.
Severe allergies to local anesthetics.
Pre-existing chronic pain conditions.
Participation in another clinical trial within the past 30 days.