Comparison of Analgesic Efficacy of Caudal Dexmedetomidine with Ropivacaine versus Ropivacaine in Pediatric Infraumbilical Surgeries

Dr. Meenal Jindal; Dr. Meeta Yadav; Dr. Ghanshyam Singh Rathore; Dr. S.P. Chittora

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2020

Comparison of Analgesic Efficacy of Caudal Dexmedetomidine with Ropivacaine versus Ropivacaine in Pediatric Infraumbilical Surgeries

Dr. Meenal Jindal, Dr. Meeta Yadav, Dr. Ghanshyam Singh Rathore, Dr. S. P. Chittora

Abstract :

Introduction: Caudal anaesthesia is commonly practiced as regional block technique in children undergoing infraumbilical surgeries but has a short duration of action after single shot local anaesthetic injection. Many additives are being used in combination with local anaesthetics in caudal block to prolong the postoperative analgesia. The aim of this study was to compare analgesic efficacy and side effects of caudal Dexmedetomidine with Ropivacaine versus Ropivacaine in pediatric patients undergoing infraumbilical surgeries. Materials and Method: After approval from Institutional Ethical Research Committee, 60 ASA– I and II patients aged 1 and 7 years undergoing various elective infraumbilical surgical procedures were included in the study. The patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups of 30 patients each. Group RD (n=30) received 0.25% Ropivacaine 1ml/kg with Dexmedetomidine 1�g/kg and Group R (n=30) received 0.25% Ropivacaine 1ml/kg in normal saline. The various parameters studied were post–operative pain (FLACC pain score), mean duration of analgesia, rescue analgesic requirements, postoperative sedation score and side effects. Results: All the groups were comparable demographically and in block characteristics. The mean duration of analgesia was 624.72 �60.28 min in Group RD and 412.34 �40.50 min in Group R. Conclusion: This study showed that the addition of Dexmedetomidine with Ropivacaine administered caudally significantly increase the duration of postoperative analgesia with minimal side–effects in children