Bupivacaine/Dexmedetomidine versus Bupivacaine Alone in Caudal Block for Toddlers Undergoing Unilateral Open Inguinal Hernia Repair

Abstract

Abstract Background Unilateral open inguinal hernia repair surgeries are one of the most frequently performed operations in the pediatric population. Regional anesthetic techniques are commonly used for better control of pain in pediatrics. the most widely used technique of regional anaesthesia in pediatrics is the caudal block. Objective To evaluate the analgesic and sedative effect of dexmedetomedine when given caudally as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in caudal block vs bupivacaine alone in toddlers undergoing unilateral Open inguinal hernia repair surgeries. Patients and Methods The study was conducted on 50 randomly chosen patients in Ain Shams University Hospitals after approval of the medical ethical committee. Patients were divided randomly into two groups; each group consisted of 25 patients. After preoperative assessment and obtaining baseline vital data, all patients received general anesthesia. Results The result of the study reveals that the addition of dexmedetomedine at 1μg/kg to bupivacaine 0.25% in caudal blocks can effectively prolong the duration of postoperative analgesia and causes better sedation than using bupivacaine alone in caudal blocks at similar doses in pediatrics. Conclusion From our study we can conclude that the addition of dexmedetomedine at 1μg/kg to bupivacaine 0.25% in caudal blocks can effectively prolong the duration of postoperative analgesia and causes better sedation in the toddlers undergoing unilateral open inguinal hernia repair surgeries. It is better than using bupivacaine alone in caudal blocks at similar doses.