ABSTRACT
Aim of Study: To compare the efficacy of ropivacine alone or in combination with clonidine for spinal anaesthesia in children of 5-12 yrs of age for infraumbilical surgeries. Method: 60 paediatric consented patients of either gender scheduled for infraumbilical surgery were randomised into two groups of 30 each to receive either intrathecal study solution of 0.5% isobaric ropivacaine 0.5 mg/kg body weight (group I) or 0.5% isobaric ropivacaine 0.5 mg/kg body weight with clonidine 1μg/kg body weight (group II). The end point were hemodynamic variability, onset of analgesia , duration of sensory and motor blockade and quality of anaesthesia. The post spinal nausea, vomiting, shivering, respiratory depression, headache and other side effects were also noted. At the end of study, data were systematically compiled and analysed for statistical significance. Result: The intrathecal clonidine accelerated the onset time to achieve sensory blockade and motor blockade. Intrathecal clonidine with ropivacaine prolonged the duration of analgesia. When compared with intrathecal ropivacaine alone. Intraoperative hemodynamic variability showed no statistical significant difference between groups. Conclusion: Intrathecal clonidine as an adjuvant to 0.5% isobaric ropivacaine demonstrated better clinical profile as compared to ropivacaine alone.
Key words: Clonidine, Ropivacaine, Subarachnoid Block, Paediatric Patients.