European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Circumcision is a painful procedure in children for which various methods are being used for pain relief. The aim of this study was to compare caudal block and penile block using ropivacaine for post-operative analgesia in paediatric patient posted for circumcision.
Methods and Materials: It was a prospective, randomised, double blinded study over a period of 6 months in 40 male patients, age between 1-7 years. The patients were divided in to two groups 20 each. GROUP C received caudal block with 0.2ml/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine by 23-G 1½ needle through sacral hiatus. GROUP P received penile block with 0.2ml/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine by 23G needle. The postoperative pain was evaluated by FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Crying and Consolability) pain Scale. The patient's Postoperative pain was recorded using emergence numerical pain score on a scale of 0-10: The Facial expression, Leg activity, Crying and Consolability and on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score.
Results: We found that the mean pulse rate in Group C was less than Group P which was statistically significant at 4, 8, 24 hours. But the changes were not clinically significant. It was found that the mean VAS Scores were on lower side in Group C when compared to Group P. The mean VAS Score ranged from 2.5 to 4.75 in Group C and 3.4 to 5.45 in Group P.
Conclusion: We have demonstrated that although penile block is a safe and effective method of providing post-circumcision analgesia, Caudal block is superior in terms of its reliability, prolonged duration of action and in reducing post-operative pain score.