COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CAUDAL ROPIVACAINE WITH CLONIDINE AND ROPIVACAINE WITH MIDAZOLAM IN INFRAUMBLICAL SURGERIES IN CHILDREN

Background: Effective pain management in pediatric patients undergoing infraumbilical surgeries is crucial for enhancing postoperative recovery and minimizing opioid consumption. This study compares the efficacy and safety of caudal ropivacaine combined with clonidine versus ropivacaine combined with midazolam. Methods: A clinical dataset of 90 pediatric patients was analyzed, with patients divided into two groups: Group A received caudal ropivacaine with clonidine, and Group B received ropivacaine with midazolam. The study assessed the duration of analgesia, pain scores, time to first analgesic request, total opioid consumption, and incidence of adverse effects. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Chi-square tests, linear regression, and logistic regression. Results: Group A demonstrated a longer duration of analgesia, lower pain scores, extended time to first analgesic request, reduced opioid consumption, and a lower probability of adverse effects compared to Group B. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences between the groups in terms of analgesia duration, pain control, and opioid consumption, with a notable relationship between the duration of analgesia and opioid use. Conclusion: The addition of clonidine to caudal ropivacaine appears to offer superior analgesic efficacy and a better safety profile compared to the combination with midazolam in pediatric infraumbilical surgeries. These findings suggest that ropivacaine combined with clonidine could be a preferred choice for enhancing postoperative pain management and reducing opioid requirements in this patient population.