A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA BY CAUDAL EPIDURAL ROUTE USING BUPIVACAINE WITH TRAMADOL AND BUPIVACAINE WITH FENTANYL IN PAEDIATRIC BELOW UMBILICAL SURGERIES

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Bupivacaine (0.25%) 0.5 ml/kg with Fentanyl 1 mu g/kg and Bupivacaine (0.25%) 0.5 ml/kg with Tramadol 2 mg/kg in caudal block for postoperative analgesia. In the present study, 60 children of ASA I and II, aged between 5-12 years who were scheduled for below umbilical surgical procedures were randomly allotted into 2 groups (30 each) to receive either bupivacaine with fentanyl or bupivacaine with tramadol. Caudal block was performed after induction of general anesthesia, no analgesics were given intraoperatively. Postoperative analgesia was evaluated by Numerical Rating Scale and sedation was assessed by five point sedation score. Postoperative analgesia was supplemented with Syrup Paracetamol (10mg/kg) when Numerical Rating Scale was 4. Any adverse effect like respiratory depression, urinary retention, nausea and vomiting were recorded in all patients. Caudal tramadol with bupivacaine produced significant increased postoperative analgesia. The duration of analgesia was 861 +/- 23 minutes in tramadol with bupivacaine group, as compared to 353.46 +/- 31.79 minutes in fentanyl with bupivacaine group. No significant difference found in sedation score in both groups in first hour postoperatively. Two cases in fentanyl with bupivacaine and three cases in tramadol with bupivacaine group developed urinary retention in postoperative period. Four cases in fentanyl with bupivacaine and three cases in tramadol with bupivacaine group developed nausea and vomiting. Our study showed that caudal tramadol with bupivacaine provided longer duration of postoperative analgesia without having significant side effects.