PURPOSE:The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of caudal dexmedetomidine combined with Ropivacaine to provide postoperative analgesia in children and also to establish its safety in the pediatric patients. METHODS: In a randomized, prospective, parallel group, double-blinded study, 80 children of 1 year to 6years posted for lower abdominal surgeries were recruited and allocated into two groups: Group RD (n=40) received 0.25% Ropivacaine 1 ml/kg with dexmedetomidine2 μg/kg, making the volume to 0.5 ml and Group R (n=40) received 0.25% Ropivacaine1 ml/kg + 0.5 ml normal saline. Induction of anesthesia was achieved with Inj. Ketamine 2mg/kg + Inj. Succinylcholine 2mg/kg. Intubated with appropriate-sized Endotracheal tube and caudal block was performed in all patients. Maintained with 66% nitrous oxide in Oxygen and isoflurane 0.2-0.4%.Post-operative pain assessed with FLACC score. RESULTS: The duration of postoperative analgesia recorded a mean of 339 minutes (5.6hrs ± 2.4 hrs.) in Group R compared with 884 minutes (14.7 hrs. ±5hrs) in Group RD, with a p value of <0.001. Group RD patients achieved a statistically significant higher FLACC score compared with Group RD patients. The peri-operative hemodynamics were stable among both the groups. CONCLUSION: Caudal dexmedetomidine (2 μg/kg) with 0.25%Ropivacaine (1 ml/kg) for pediatric lower abdominal surgeries provides significant postoperative pain relief and better quality of sleep and a prolonged duration of arousable sedation.

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