Two methods of pain control in children undergoing surgery on the groin and scrotum are caudal injection (a form of epidural) with local anaesthetic, and a regional nerve block (an injection of local anaesthetic around the nerves supplying the area). A pilot study at our hospital showed a significant decrease in post-operative pain and nausea and vomiting in these two methods when compared to intravenous morphine and local anaesthetic to the wound. One potential side effect from caudal injections is temporarily decreased motor power in the legs due to the local anaesthetic - it is thought that this might be overcome using a more dilute solution of local anaesthetic along with clonidine. This study is to demonstrate that this method is as effective as the use of a regional nerve block.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
Caudal epidural
Peripheral nerve block
All patients will receive a standarised dose of paracetamol 15mg/kg and fentanyl 2mcg/kg.
Medway NHS Foundation Trust
Gillingham, Kent, United Kingdom
RECRUITINGPain relief
FLACC for preverbal children
Time frame: Discharge postoperatively (approximately 2-4 hours postoperatively)
Pain relief
VAS for verbal children
Time frame: Discharge postoperatively (approximately 2-4 hours postoperatively)
Motor paresis assessed with the Bromage score
Bromage score
Time frame: Discharge postoperatively (approximately 2-4 hours postoperatively)
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