A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN DEXAMETHASONE AND MAGNESIUM AS AN ADJUVANT TO ROPIVACAINE IN CAUDAL ANALGESIA IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS UNDERGOING INFRAUMBILICAL SURGERIES

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Caudal analgesia is the most commonly used technique for intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Adjuvants are the one which prolong analgesia and free of side effects. We compared the OBJECTIVE: analgesic effects and side-effects of dexamethasone and magnesium added to ropivacaine for caudal analgesia in pediatric patients undergoing infraumbilical surgeries. The comparative study was conducted after obtaining a MATERIALS AND METHODS pproval from ethical committee. Written informed consent was obtained from parents of patients on day before the surgery.The comparative study was conducted on 75 patients with ASA class I and II, aged between 3-8 yrs scheduled for infraumbilical surgeries were included in this study.Study has been done under three groups with each group containing25 patients. Group 1(control) 0.5ml/kg of injection ropivacaine 0.2% alone. Group 2: 0.5ml/kg of injection ropivacaine 0.2% and magnesium 50mg. Group3:0.5ml/kg of injection ropivacaine 0.2% and dexamethasone 0.1mg/kg. P value <0.05 was considered statistically signicant. There was a signicant RESULTS: prolongation of duration of analgesia in study groups who received dexamethasone and magnesium as compared to ropivacaine alone. Regarding the intensity and duration of analgesia there was a statistically signicant difference between two groups, dexamethasone provides longer duration of analgesia when compared to magnesium. None of the adjuvants results in either prolonged or excess sedation. No side effects were encountered in either group. When CONCLUSION: compared to magnesium, dexamethasone added to ropivaciane provide longer duration of caudal analgesia without any side effects