2021, Vol. 4, Issue 2, Part D

Methods: In this prospective, randomised, double-blinded comparative study, sixty children of either gender, in the age group of 1-8 years and scheduled for elective infra umbilical surgeries were randomly divided into two groups of thirty each. Children in Group D received a caudal epidural injection of 1ml/kg 0.25% ropivacaine with 2µg/kg dexmedetomidine while Group T received a caudal epidural injection of 1ml/kg ropivacaine with 2mg/kg tramadol. The primary outcome variable was the duration of time to rescue analgesia. The secondary outcome variables were onset of action, residual motor block, sedation score and adverse effects.

Results: Results were statistically analysed using student’s t- test. Mean time of rescue analgesia in group D was 718.00 ± 100.06 min i.e. 11 hours 58 minutes and in group T was 467.33± 68.94 min i.e. 7 hours 47 minutes. (P<0.001). Pain scores measured at regular intervals post operatively were lower in D group as compared to T group. Rescue analgesia requirement was more in group T as compared to group D. Haemodynamic changes and side effects were comparable between the groups

Conclusion: Caudal dexmedetomidine with Ropivacaine provides longer duration of post-operative analgesia as compared to caudal Tramadol with Ropivacaine.