Genetics and Molecular Research
Clonidine and dexmedetomidine as adjuvants to caudal bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in children undergoing infraumbilical surgery: A three-arm randomized controlled study
By Anuradha Vaswani, Vidya Mohan, Divyabharathi Srinivasan and 1 others.
Abstract
Background
Single-shot caudal bupivacaine provides effective analgesia for paediatric infraumbilical surgeries, but its duration is limited. α2-Adrenergic agonists may prolong duration of caudal analgesia when used as adjuvants.
Objective
To compare the analgesic efficacy and safety of clonidine and dexmedetomidine added to caudal bupivacaine. Materials and Methods: This prospective, single blind, randomised controlled study included 90 children aged 1–10 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, undergoing elective infraumbilical, perineal, or lower-limb surgery. Participants were allocated equally in 3 groups to receive caudal 0.25% bupivacaine 1 mL/kg with either normal saline (Group B), or clonidine 1 μg/kg (Group BC), or dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg (Group BD). The primary outcome was the duration of postoperative analgesia, secondary outcomes included postoperative pain score ( FLACC Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability scores), rescue analgesic requirements during the first 24 hours, haemodynamic changes and adverse effects.