AbstractCaudal epidural block is one of the most common regional techniques in pediatric anaesthesia. Epidural route of dexamethasone prolongs analgesic effect. Bupivacaine acts mainly by blockade of voltage gated NA+channel in the axonal membrane. Dexamethasone have a local anesthetic effect on nerve by direct membrane action.
Methodology: A randomized, prospective, interventional study.80 paediatric patients were allocated into two equal groups. BD group received 1.0 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine with 0.1mg/kg of dexamethasone and B group received 1.0ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine. Patients more than 6 years were excluded from the study.
Results: In our study FLACC scores in group BD was reduced as compared to group B. Mean duration of analgesia was 279.8±11.54 minutes in group B was increased by adding Dexamethasone to 486.07±3.72 minutes in group BD.
Conclusion: The study was conducted in 80 children, aged 6months to 6 years of ASA I AND II undergoing elective Genitourinary surgeries under general anaesthesia. It is found that addition of Dexamethasone to Bupivacaine in caudal analgesia significantly increases the duration of postoperative analgesia without much side effects.