A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF CLONIDINE & DEXMEDETOMIDINE AS ADJUVANTS TO ROPIVACAINE IN CAUDAL BLOCK IN CHILDREN

BACKGROUND: Caudal analgesia has been successfully used in paediatric patients since 1933. Ropivacaine a stereo isomer of Bupivacaine was used to increase duration of analgesia. The present study is designed to compare clonidine and dexmedetomidine as adjuvants to Ropivacaine in caudal block in children. METHODS: A total of 60 patients of 3-10 years age, either sex, ASA I/II posted for infraumblical surgeries under GA with caudal analgesia were randomly allocated to receive 0.2% ropivacaine plain@1ml/kg+normal saline (1ml), 0.2% ropivacaine @1ml/kg+clonidine 1microg/kg (1ml), 0.2% ropivacaine @ 1ml/kg+dexmedetomidine 1microg/kg(1ml). The children were monitored postoperatively for duration of analgesia, sedation score and postoperative complications if any. RESULTS: Duration of analgesia was maximum in Group-III (Ropivacaine+Dexmedetomidine)-14hrs., 12hrs. In Group-II (Ropivacaine+Clonidine) and 6-8 hrs. In Group-I (Ropivacaine Plain). Children were more sedated in early postoperative period in Group-II & III as compared to Group-I. CONCLUSION: Duration of analgesia was prolonged in Group-II & III, the same group children were more sedated and calm in postoperative period.