Objectives: To compare the following factors in three groups –  group I–control group without TAP block, in group II– 1.5 mg/kg of  0.375% ropivacaine with 2ml normal saline in TAP block,in group III– 1.5mg/kg 0.375% ropivacaine with 2ml dexamethasone(8mg) with TAP block  in lower abdominal surgeries(inguinal hernia,appendicitis) with respect to:

·         Time for first rescue analgesia(fentanyl)at VAS30 after surgery

·         VAS score after surgery at 1h,2h,4h,12h,24h,48h

·         Total rescue analgesia (fentanyl) requirement after surgery for 48 hrs

·         Postoperative nausea and vomiting

Methods:  In the present study 90 ASA grade I–II patientsdivided into three groups –   group I – control group without TAP block, in group II – TAP block with 1.5 mg/kg of 0.375% ropivacaine with 2ml normal saline,in group III– TAP block with 1.5mg/kg of 0.375% ropivacaine with 2ml dexamethasone in lower abdominal surgeries(inguinal hernia,appendicitis).

Results : The time for first rescue analgesia was prolonged and statistically significant in group III(540.83) when compared with group I (125.1)and group II(416.9).

VAS scores after surgery at 1h,2h,4h,12h,24h, and 48h were lesser when dexamethasone added to ropivacaine  in TAP block when compared with TAP block with ropivacaine  and  control group (no TAP block) and VAS scores were lesser in TAP block with ropivacaine (group II) when compared with control (group I)

                Total rescue analgesia(fentanyl) requirement after surgery for 48hrs was lesser when dexamethasone added to ropivacaine than with ropivacaine in TAP blockand it lower in TAP block group when compared with control group.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting was lesser when dexamethasone added to ropivacaine in TAP block when compared with group II and group I.It was no significant difference in TAP block group and with control group.