Comparison between Ropivacaine and Ropivacaine with Dexmedetomidine in Caudal Analgesia in Pediatric Patients

To compare duration of caudal analgesia To compare hemodynamic changes To study the side effects of drugs if any during intraoperative and postoperative period To compare degree of sedation Materials and methods Study was conducted in 60 children undergoing elective infraumbilical surgeries like herniotomy, orchidopexy, hypospadias repair etc. during the period 2014-2016 The patients were assigned randomly into two groups, 30 patients in each group. Group A Control group- Ropivacaine 0.25 % (1ml/kg) with 1ml normal saline Group B Dexmedetomidine group- Ropivacaine 0.25 % (1ml/kg) with dexmedetomidine 1g/kg in 1ml normal saline. The drugs were given in caudal block according to the groups after negative aspiration for blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Analgesia was assessed using FLACC pain scale and sedation was assessed by sedation score. Children who had a pain score of more than 4 were administered Acetaminophen 15mg/kg suppository. Results and conclusions Addition of dexmedetomidine to caudal ropivacaine significantly prolongs the duration of post-operative analgesia. Degree of sedation is higher in dexmedetomidine group. Addition of dexmedetomidine does not produce significant hemodynamic fluctuations or major side effects. we find dexmedetomidine (1g/kg dose) is safe and effective adjuvant to ropivacaine in caudal block