Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine versus Transversus Abdominus Plane Block (TAP) for Postoperative Analgesia after Cesarean Section: Review article

Background: The quadratus lumborum block (QLB), slow-release local anaesthetics, and non-pharmacological methods are only a few of the innovative pain-management strategies that have been developed to treat caesarean-related pain. As a part of the multimodal analgesic strategy, the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been utilised for post-operative pain reduction following a variety of abdominal procedures. The somatic analgesia it produces is adequate, and the visceral blockage is minimal or nonexistent. While, less effective than neuraxial morphine, TAP blocks have less side effects such as nausea and itching. The lateral TAP block approach can result in post-Caesarean delivery analgesia that lasts for up to 24 to 48 hours after surgery. The α2-agonist dexmedetomidine is very selective. Objective: To highlight Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine versus TAP block for postoperative analgesia after Caesarean section (CS). Methods: Searches in Google, Google scholar, and PubMed were conducted for Dexmedetomidine, QLB, TAP block, and Caesarean delivery. The authors also reviewed references from pertinent literature, although they only included the most recent or comprehensive study from July 2000 to May 2022. Documents in languages other than English have been disqualified due to lack of translation-related sources. Dissertations, oral presentations, unpublished manuscripts, conference abstracts, and other papers that did not pertain to significant scientific research were excluded. Conclusion: We came to the conclusion that the addition of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in TAP block increased the length of time before the first dose of rescue analgesia was sought, as well as decreased and lowered postoperative VAS ratings recorded at all-time points, and it also increased the length of motor block.