Comparison Of Two Different Concentration Of Ropivacaine With Clonidine As Adjuvant, In Caudal Epidural In Pediatric Patients.

Background: The aim of this double blind, randomized, comparative study was to assess the analgesic efficacy and safety of two different concentrations of ropivacaine and fixed dose clonidine as an adjuvant for pediatric caudal block.Methods: Sixty ASA-I children undergoing elective ilio-inguinal surgery were randomly divided in two groups to receive, caudal injection with 0.1% ropivacaine 1ml/kg and clonidine 2μg/kg in group I or 0.2% ropivacaine 1ml/kg and clonidine 2μg/kg in group II after induction of standard general anesthesia. Intra and post-operatively HR, MAP and RR were monitored. Postoperative duration of analgesia, CHIPPS (Child and infant post-operative pain scale), sedation by Ramsay sedation scale and residual motor blockade by Modified Bromage scale were recorded.Result : There were no significant differences among the two study groups with respect to age, weight or duration of surgery. In both the groups none of patient required additional analgesia or anesthesia intra-operatively. Mean CHIPPS in group I was0.89±0.42 and in group II was 0.94±0.58, p-value 0.69 was statistically non significant .Duration of analgesia in both the groups was statistically not significant. Bradycardia, hypotension, and sedation were not recorded in both the study groups.Conclusion: It was concluded that, addition of clonidine to 0.1% ropivacaine gives similar quality and duration of analgesia as that of 0.2% ropivacaine and clonidine, without causing significant degree of postoperative sedation and motor weakness.