COMPARISON OF A BUPIVACAINE-CLONIDINE MIXTURE WITH PLAIN BUPIVACAINE FOR CAUDAL ANALGESIA IN CHILDREN

In a randomized, double-blind study in children undergoing elective or thopaedic surgery, we have assessed she clinical value of combining cl onidine with bupivacaine for caudal analgesia. Forty-six children, age d 1-10 yr, were allocated randomly to two equal groups to receive 0.25 % bupivacaine 1 ml kg(-1) combined with either normal saline 1 ml (gro up A) or clonidine 2 mu g kg(-1) in normal saline 1 ml (group B). Mean (SD) duration of caudal analgesia for groups A and B were 5.2 (1.2) h and 9.8 (2.1) h, respectively (P < 0.0001). Group B required signific antly less supplementary analgesia after operation (P < 0.01). There w as no significant difference in the incidence of side effects between the two groups. The longer duration of sedation in group B (9.1 (2.5) h) resulted partly from the sedative effect of clonidine and partly fr om the longer duration of analgesia provided by clonidine. We conclude that, when added to bupivacaine, clonidine improves the efficacy of c audal analgesia in children.