Effect of Intravenous Paracetamol on Postoperative Recovery in Children Undergoing Hypospadias Repair under General Anaesthesia with Caudal Block: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Objective: To explore the impact of perioperative intravenous (IV) paracetamol, administered with caudal ropivacaine on the quality of postoperative recovery in children undergoing hypospadias repair.

Study design: Double-blinded randomised controlled trial. Place and Duration of the Study: The operating room, post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU), and paediatric surgical ward at the Aga Khan University Hospital, from 31st January 2019 to 1st May 2022.

Methodology: Children aged 3-10 years undergoing hypospadias repair were randomly divided into two groups. Group P was administered IV paracetamol 15 mg/kg an hour before the completion of the repair procedure. Group C received a placebo instead of paracetamol. Modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) was measured at 15 and 30 minutes, and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours postoperatively. The sedation score was documented for four hours postoperatively.

Results: Out of total 59 children included in the analysis, 55% (n = 16) in the Group P and 45% (n = 13) in the Group C needed additional analgesia within the first six hours post-procedure. No significant variations were observed between the groups' CHEOPS scores and sedation levels.

Conclusion: The addition of perioperative intravenous paracetamol 15 mg/kg in combination with 0.25% ropivacaine through the caudal route, along with general anaesthesia, did not significantly affect the quality of postoperative recovery in children measured by pain score and sedation.

Key words: Intravenous paracetamol, Caudal analgesia, Ropivacaine, Paediatric patients.