Evaluation of the peri operative analgesic effects of caudal blocks for herniotomy in children at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

摘要

Introduction: Caudal block is a commonly performed day case anaesthetic procedure in children for most infraumbilical surgeries worldwide [1] as it provides good analgesia in the perioperative period. In Nigeria there is paucity of data on caudal block hence the justification for this study.Methods: This study compared the perioperative analgesic effects and safety profile of caudal block using 0.5 ml/kg body weight of 0.25% plain bupivacaine with light general anaesthesia (GA) versus inhalational GA alone in 60 children aged 2-10 years that had hemiotomy using behavioural pain scale to access pain [2].Results: Showed a mean duration of surgery ± standard deviation (SD) of 17±2 minutes for caudal, 51+6 minutes for GA (t = 60, p < 0.05, df = 59). Mean recovery times postoperatively was 6 ± 2 minutes for caudal, 14 ± 3 minutes for the GA (t=14, P < 0.05, df=59). Mean postoperative pain scores was 2 ± 0.6 for caudal, 5 ±1 for the GA (t=4, p < 0.05, df=9). Time to first analgesic requirement was 170 ± 19 minutes, 39± 4 minutes for caudal and GA groups respectively (t=37, p < 0.05, df=59). Postoperatively 60% and 0% of patients in GA and caudal groups required opioid analgesic respectively. Conclusion: Children who had hemiotomy under caudal block with 0.5ml/kg of 0.25% plain bupivacaine had good analgesia with minimal complications. Gaudal block in children is easy to perform and it's suitable for most day case infraumbilical surgeries.