Comparison between Caudal Dexmedetomidine and Morphine for Postoperative Analgesia in Pediatric Infraumbilical Surgeries

Abstract

Background: The usage of caudal opioids extends the length of analgesia substantially, but it often comes with a slew of adverse side effects, including fatigue, vomiting, pruritus, urinary retention, and a chance of respiratory distress later on. Objective: The aim of this analysis was to compare the effects of caudal dexmedetomidine versus morphine in conjunction with bupivacaine in pediatric infraumbilical surgeries. Patients and Methods: This randomized controlled sample involved 90 pediatric patients aged 1 to 7 years old, of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II, of both sexes, who were scheduled for lower abdominal surgeries. Patients were allocated to three equal groups. Group D got a 0.25% bupivacaine + 1 g/kg dexmedetomidine. Group M obtained a 0.25% bupivacaine + 30 g/kg morphine mixture. Group MD: dexmedetomidine 1 g/kg and morphine 30 g/kg with bupivacaine were used in a single dose caudal epidural analgesia. Results: Intraoperative heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure at 20, 25, 30 and 45 min was significantly decreased in group MD than group D and group M while in postoperative period were insignificantly among the three groups at all times of measurement. FLACC was significantly lower in MD group at discharge, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 and 18 hours. Ramsey sedation score (RSS) at 30 min was significantly decreased in group M than group D and in group MD than group M. Time for 1st analgesia and paracetamol dosage was significantly earlier in group M than group D and group MD. Pruritus and vomiting were significantly lower in group D than other groups. Conclusions: The addition of dexmedetomidine to caudal morphine in pediatric patients produced longer postoperative analgesia, more sedation and with better emergence from anesthesia and hemodynamic stability, with fewer side effects than morphine.