DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i11.034

Pages: 4337-4342

Addition of clonidine to levobupivacaine (0.25%) can potentially enhance analgesia without producing prolonged motor blockade.The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of caudal levobupivacaine alone or in combination with clonidine in children undergoing infra-umbilical surgeries. This study was a prospective, randomized, double blind study and sixty children of ASA grade I and II of either sex aged 2-8yr were randomized into 2 groups. Group L received 1 ml/kg of 0.25% levobupivacaine and Group LC received 1 µg/kg of clonidine in combination with 1 ml/kg of 0.25% levobupivacaine caudally after general anaesthesia was induced. Hemodynamic variables (HR, SpO2, RR and NIBP) were monitored in all patients. Duration of analgesia & motor blockade, degree of motor blockade, pain score by FLACC scale and sedation score were recorded at preset time intervals along with various complications like nausea, vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia & respiratory depression. Student’s t test was done for statistical analysis by SPSS 17 Software. Mean duration of analgesia was maximum in group LC (503.66±89.53 min) than in group L (237.66± 49.59 min). Degree & duration of motor blockade were comparable in both groups and higher seadation was found in group LC patients. HR, SBP& DBP were lower in group LC as compared to group L. Addition of clonidine to levobupivacaine resulted in a longer duration of analgesia and a higher sedation score as compared to caudal levobupivacaine alone.