IJSR - International Journal of Scientific Research

Azka Khan; Waqarâ€“ulâ€“Nisa; Sheikh Irshad; Ayaz Farooqi; Showkat Gurcoo; Shazia Naaz

Volume : VI, Issue : IV, April - 2017

Effect of intravenous Dexamethasone in combination with Caudal analgesia on postoperative pain control in Paediatric Orchidopexy.

Azka Khan, Waqar Ul Nisa, Sheikh Irshad, Ayaz Farooqi, Showkat Gurcoo, Shazia Naaz

Abstract :

Many recent studies done on dexamethasone have shown its powerful analgesic action along with its anti–inflammatory action. The aim of our study was to determine the efficacy of intravenous dexamethasone as an adjuvant to caudal analgesia on postoperative pain control in paediatric patients undergoing unilateral orchidopexy.A prospective,randomized,double blind study was conducted in 80 patients aged 2–5 years, weighing 20kg or less who underwent unilateral orchidopexy. After induction of anaesthesia with propofol, children in the study group received intravenous dexamethasone 0.5mg/kg body weight (maximum 10mg) followed by the caudal block with ropivacaine 0.1%, 1.5ml/kg body weight.Children in control group received the same volume of saline intravenously as the volume of dexamethasone in the study group, followed by caudal block with ropivacaine 0.1%, 1.5ml/kg body weight. Postoperatively pain scores were assessed using CHEOPS, FLACC and VAS scales.

The pain scores CHEOPS, FLACC and VAS assessed postoperatively in the study group were less as compared to control group. The total number of patients who required rescue analgesia (oral acetaminophen) in ward was less in study group compared to control group and the difference was statistically significant .The mean time to first rescue analgesic (oral acetaminophen) in study group was 8.33±0.985 hours compared to control group where it was 6.00±1.155 hours.The difference was statistically significant. There was decreased incidence of complications like nausea and vomiting in the study group,but the inter group variation was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The conclusion of our study was that intravenous dexamethasone in combination with a caudal block with ropivacaine increases the intensity and duration of postoperative analgesia after paediatric orchidopexy with no significant side effects.