Dual adjunct therapy with dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine in transversus abdominis plane blocks reduces postoperative opioid use in colorectal surgery.

Background: The objective of this study is to determine if the addition of dexmedetomidine to dexamethasone in transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks lowers postoperative opioid use following colorectal surgery.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients undergoing minimally invasive colorectal surgery and perioperative TAP block with either 1) local anesthetic and dexamethasone or 2) local anesthetic, dexamethasone, and dexmedetomidine. Post-operative opioid use was converted to morphine milligram equivalents (MME).