Dose Escalation of Dexamethasone to Increase Duration of Transversus Abdominal Plane Block Following Cesarean Section
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2021-05-20
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The study aims to improve the care of the obstetric population after cesarean section and
improve total patient satisfaction by improving post-surgical pain control with the use of
dexamethasone in combination with bilateral TAP blocks. The investigators will utilize a
dose-escalation of dexamethasone in the TAP block to observe its effects at specific small
doses. It is the hope of the investigator that the studied technique would become utilized
routinely for the obstetric population following cesarean section.
The investigators hope to show that the addition of dexamethasone in bilateral TAP blocks
will prolong the duration of the block in a dose-dependent fashion. The investigators hope to
improve post-operative pain following cesarean section, increase duration of TAP block with
use of dexamethasone, decrease overall pain scores in the first 24-48 hours, and decrease
opioid requirements after cesarean section.
The primary endpoint will be estimation of duration of TAP block, being assessed within 48
hours after surgery. Secondary endpoints will include pain scores both in PACU and on the
floor, average pain scores, time until first opioid administration, total opioid consumption
in first 48 hours, use of PONV medications, and overall patient satisfaction.