DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i03.050

Pages: 975-980

Caudal analgesia is one of the most preferred techniques of analgesia in infants and children for infraumbilical surgeries. However it has disadvantage of short duration. Dexamethasone is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and has been demonstrated to reduce morbidity after surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of single dose of IV dexamethasone in combination with caudal block with Bupivacaine for infra-umbilical surgeries. This study was done on CAIMS, Karimnagar. 60 children undergoing infra umbilical surgeries were selected and randomly divided into two groups of 30 each. Group I received 0.25% Bupivacaine (1ml/Kg) caudal block. Group II received 0.25% Bupivacaine (1ml/Kg) and 0.5mg/Kg Dexamethasone IV single dose (maximum 10 mg) after surgery rescue analgesic consumption, pain scores and adverse effects were evaluated after 24 hrs. Pain scores measured at the interval of 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 Hours post-operatively were lower in Group II compared to Group I. Mean duration of analgesia in Group I was 270 ± 57 min and Group II it was 510 ± 78 min and p values were <0.05. Rescue analgesic requirements were greater in Group I as compared to Group II. No significant incidences of adverse effects were also seen in both Groups. The results shows that IV dexamethasone 0.5mg/kg when used along with caudal block with Bupivacaine increased the duration of post-operative analgesia for pediatric infra-umbilical surgeries. Dexamethasone IV 0.5mg/Kg is good alternative to prolong post-operative analgesia without any adverse effects.