COMPARISON OF BUPIVACAINE WITH AND WITHOUT DEXMEDETOMIDINE IN CAUDAL BLOCK AMONG CHILDREN UNDERGOING INGUINAL HERNIOTOMY

COMPARISON OF BUPIVACAINE WITH AND WITHOUT DEXMEDETOMIDINE IN CAUDAL BLOCK AMONG CHILDREN UNDERGOING INGUINAL HERNIOTOMY

A random controlled trial, was held at Jinnah Hospital in Lahore, consisting of 60 male pediatrics (6 months to 12 years), who were undergoing unilateral inguinal herniotomy or hydrocele repair. Patients were randomly allocated in two groups: Group A alone received 1 mL/kg 0.25% bupivacaine, while Group B received the same dose with 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine. The pain score was evaluated by Wong-Beker Face Scale postoperatively every two hours, rescue analgesia (intravenous paracetamol 10 mg/kg) when the pain score reached ≥4

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male children who were undergoing elective unilateral inguinal herniotomy or hydrocele surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients were excluded if they were already on analgesic (according to medical records)
• Obstructed inguinal hernias or bilateral hernias (confirmed through ultrasound)