Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study of Caudal Analgesia using 0.2% Ropivacaine with 1?g/kg Fentanyl and 0.2% Ropivacaine with 0.02ml/kg NS in Children Undergoing Infraumbilical Surgeries

INTRODUCTION: Single shot caudal blocks provide post operative analgesia for limited duration. The addition of fentanyl as an adjuvant prolongs the duration of analgesia. OBJECTIVES:- Primary- 1. Analgesic effect of caudal block. 2. Requirement of rescue analgesic Secondary- 1. hemodynamic parameters METHODOLOGY- 50 patients were divided into 2 groups, group F and S. GROUP F- 25 patients received 1ml/kg 0.2% ropivacaine with 1µg/kg fentanyl GROUP S- 25 patients received 1ml/kg 0.2% ropivacaine with 0.02ml/kg NS The analgesic effect of caudal block and sedation scoring was assessed. Post operative period of 24 hours was observed for rescue analgesic requirement, hemodynamic parameters and any complications. RESULTS:There were no differences between the groups in terms of age, height, weight, duration of surgery or duration of anaesthesia. There were no differences between the groups in haemodynamic and respiratory parameters. . A trend towards more time to first analgesic rescue was observed in Group F compared with Group S, and it statistically significant. In addition, statistical differences were found in CHEOPS score and no statistical difference was seen in the Steward score. CONCLUSION- The addition of Fentanyl to Ropivacaine has considerably prolonged the duration of analgesia when compared to only Ropivacaine as assessed by CHEOPS scale and STEWARD scale.