Caudal Block With Bupivacaine and Dexmedetomidine Versus TAP Block With Bupivacaine Alone for Postoperative Analgesia in Pediatric Undergoing Infraumbical Surgeries

Analgesic Efficacy of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Versus Caudal Dexmedetomidine in Children Undergoing Abdominal Surgeries

Acute pain management for pediatric surgical patients intraoperatively and postoperatively is important for their comfort and psychological impact. Children aged 3-9 years old are included in the study and are divided randomly into two groups (45 children in each):

Group D: Caudal block with bupivacaine 0.25% in a dose of (1 ml / kg) and dexmedetomidine 1μg/ kg.

Group T: TAP block with bupivacaine 0.25% in a dose of (0.5 ml / kg).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children aged 3-9 years old
• Physical status I and II class of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
• Unilateral elective surgeries below the umbilicus

Exclusion Criteria:

• Parents or legal guardian refusal.
• History of developmental delay or mental retardation
• Contraindications to regional anesthesia as known or suspected coagulopathy, a known allergy to any of the study drugs, signs of infection at the site of caudal block.
• Hemodynamic unstable patient.