Frank Weber1, Hinnerk Wulf. 1. Department of Anaesthesia, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. frank.weber@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether caudal s-ketamine would prolong analgesia together with caudal bupivacaine. METHODS:Thirty children, ASA I-II, 1 month-9 years, scheduled for minor inguinal or penile surgery, were randomly assigned in a prospective, double-blind fashion to receive single shot caudal blockade by either bupivacaine 0.125% 1 ml.kg(-1) (group B, n = 15) or a mixture of bupivacaine 0.125% 1 ml.kg(-1) and preservative-free s-ketamine 0.5 mg.kg(-1) (group K, n = 15). Postoperative pain was assessed by means of an observational 10-point scoring system and analgesia was administered if the pain score exceeded a value of 3. RESULTS: Within 24 h after caudal block 10 patients (67%) in group K and three patients in group B (20%) did not require additional analgesic medication (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the groups for incidence of haemodynamic changes. We did not observe any negative side-effects attributable to the caudal block or s-ketamine. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of preservative-free s-ketamine 0.5 mg.kg(-1) to caudal bupivacaine 0.125% 1 ml.kg(-1) provides significant prolongation of analgesia without producing negative side-effects.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether caudal s-ketamine would prolong analgesia together with caudal bupivacaine. METHODS: Thirty children, ASA I-II, 1 month-9 years, scheduled for minor inguinal or penile surgery, were randomly assigned in a prospective, double-blind fashion to receive single shot caudal blockade by either bupivacaine 0.125% 1 ml.kg(-1) (group B, n = 15) or a mixture of bupivacaine 0.125% 1 ml.kg(-1) and preservative-free s-ketamine 0.5 mg.kg(-1) (group K, n = 15). Postoperative pain was assessed by means of an observational 10-point scoring system and analgesia was administered if the pain score exceeded a value of 3. RESULTS: Within 24 h after caudal block 10 patients (67%) in group K and three patients in group B (20%) did not require additional analgesic medication (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the groups for incidence of haemodynamic changes. We did not observe any negative side-effects attributable to the caudal block or s-ketamine. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of preservative-free s-ketamine 0.5 mg.kg(-1) to caudal bupivacaine 0.125% 1 ml.kg(-1) provides significant prolongation of analgesia without producing negative side-effects.