Caudal and intravenous dexmedetomidine similarly prolong the duration of caudal analgesia in children: A randomized controlled trial.

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A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 90 children. All children were ASA 1 and aged between 2 and 5 years. The results show that both caudal and IV dexmedetomidine (1ug/kg) approximately, doubled the duration of analgesia produced by standard doses of caudal levobupivacaine.

There was a decreased incidence of emergence agitation in the dexmedetomidine groups without any increase in the duration of PACU stay. No significant haemodynamic complications were observed.

Reviewed by: Dr Michael Heytman