植物生化学および生理学ジャーナル
オープンアクセス

概要

Comparison of Caudal Levobupivacaine versus Levobupivacaine plus Morphine Mixture for Postoperative Pain Management in Children

Serbülent Gökhan Beyaz and Ali Eman

Backgrounds: In childhood, the most performed emergency abdominal operation is appendectomy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate a combination of levobupivacaine and morphine via caudal route in the management of postoperative pain after open appendectomy in children.

Methods: A total of 120 children with ASA I-II physical status, aged 3-7 years and undergoing open appendectomy, were randomly allocated to two groups; only 0.5% levobupivacaine 1.5 mL/kg (Group L) and 0.5% levobupivacaine 1.5 mL/kg plus morphine 50μg/kg (Group LM). After the surgery, pain management was quantified with Modified Eastern Ontario Children’s Hospital pain scale (mCHEOPS) up to 24 hours postoperatively Side effects of the procedure and test drugs were also recorded.

Results: A total of 102 patients aged between 3-7 years, belonging to ASA I-IIE category were included in the study. The two groups were comparable for demographic data. On comparison of postoperative pain scores, Group L had significantly higher pain scores at 1, 2 and 3 hours postoperatively compared to Group LM (p<0.05).

Conclusion: In children undergoing open appendectomy, single-dose levobupivacaine + morphine mixture via caudal route is a simple, safe and efficient method for post-operative analgesia.