ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of butorphanol with or without bupivacaine for caudal epidural anesthesia in children undergoing infraumbilical surgery. METHODS: Sixty ASA physical status I and II patients of either sex aged 1-10 yr were randomized to one of three groups. Group L received 1 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine; Group B received 1 ml/kg of 25 microg/kg butorphanol diluted in normal saline; and Group LB received 1 ml/kg of 25 microg/kg butorphanol in combination with 0.25% bupivacaine, in caudal epidural anesthesia. Hemodynamic variables (HR and MAP) and respiratory rate were monitored in all patients. Sedation score, pain score and requirement of rescue analgesia were recorded at preset time intervals alongwith post-operative complications. RESULTS: There was no difference among the groups regarding sedation scores, requirement of rescue analgesia and post-operative complications. Mean duration of analgesia was maximum in group BL (14.5 +/- 3.5 hr, P<0.001), than in group L (8.8 +/- 4.8 hr) and group B (6.8 +/- 2.9 hr). CONCLUSION: The addition of 25 microg/kg butorphanol to bupivacaine resulted in superior analgesia with a longer period compared with caudal bupivacaine and butorphanol alone, without an increase of side effects.