Comparison of Plain Ropivacaine and Ropivacainewith Dexmedetomidine in Caudal Epidural Blockfor Paediatric Infra Umbilical Surgery.

Pediatric Infra Umbilical Surgery

Abstract

Background: Context: Caudal analgesia is reliable and safe method for perioperative analgesia in paediatric patients for infraumbilical surgeries. To prolong the duration of caudal block, many additives are added with local anesthetics. Aim: To compare the effects of ropivacaine and dexmedetomidine mixture with plain ropivacaine in caudal block in paediatric infra umbilical surgeries. Subjects and Methods: Sixty patients of ASA grade 1 and 2, aged 6 month to 10 year, undergoing below umbilicus surgery, were divided into two groups of 30 each. Group R received 0.25 % ropivacaine (1 ml / kg) with 0.5 ml normal saline and group RD received 0.25% ropivacaine (1 ml / kg) with dexmedetomidine (1 g / kg) in 0.5 ml normal saline. Results: The duration of postoperative analgesia was significantly longer and the requirement of rescue analgesia was significantly lower in group RD as compared to group R. Conclusion: Caudal Ropivacaine (0.25%) with dexmedetomidine (1g / kg) proved more effective than plain ropivacaine (0.25%) in providing analgesia in paediatricinfraumbilical surgeries.