Abstract
Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the postoperative analgesia provided by Clonidine and Fentanyl when given as additives with Ropivacaine for caudal block in children. Methods: After obtaining the approval of our Institutional Ethics Committee, the study was conducted in 60 pediatric patients undergoing elective infraumbilical surgeries. The patients were randomly divided into two study groups i.e. Group I and II.
After inducing general anesthesia, patients in Group I received Ropivacaine 0.2% with Clonidine 2 mcg/ kg whereas Group II received Ropivacaine 0.2% with Fentanyl 1 mcg/kg via caudal route. The parameters observed included heart rate, blood pressures, oxygen saturation, postoperative pain score, sedation score, motor blockade, time to rescue analgesia and adverse effects. Statistical analysis was done by applying Fishers exact test and unpaired t-test. Results: Demographic variables were comparable in both groups. Heart rate,
blood pressures, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation values were significantly lower in the Clonidine group compared to the Fentanyl Group. The onset of pain and time to 1st dose of rescue analgesia was lesser in the Fentanyl Group (< 3 hours) when compared to Clonidine Group (3–5 hours) was statistically significant with p - value < 0.05. Sedation scores were significantly higher for the Clonidine Group. Motor blockade was not present in any patient. Adverse effects were comparable in both the groups. Conclusion: Addition of Clonidine
to Ropivacaine in a single shot caudal block is more advantageous than Fentanyl for postoperative pain relief without increasing the incidence of adverse effects.