Caudal anesthesia for minor subumbilical pediatric surgery: a comparison of levobupivacaine alone and levobupivacaine plus sufentanil

Study ObjectivesTo compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy and duration of analgesia after caudal levobupivacaine 0.20% with and without the addition of sufentanil 0.5 μg kg−1.DesignProspective, randomized study.SettingUniversity teaching hospital.Patients40 ASA physical status I pediatric patients, aged one to 7 years, who were scheduled for elective minor subumbilical surgery.InterventionsPatients were divided into two groups to receive either a single caudal injection of one mL kg−1 levobupivacaine 0.20% (Group L) or levobupivacaine 0.20% plus sufentanil 0.5 μg kg−1 (Group LS).MeasurementsAnalgesia (Children and Infants Postoperative Pain Scale score), motor block (Motor Blockade Scoring), and side effects were assessed at predetermined time points during the first 24 postoperative hours.Main ResultsThe Children and Infants Postoperative Pain Scale scoring at the first hour was significantly lower in Group LS than in Group L. No significant differences were found between the two groups for pain scores at two, three, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, and 24 hours. Degree of motor block was comparable between the two groups.ConclusionThe effect of adding sufentanil to caudal levobupivacaine on postoperative pain scores is brief after elective minor subumbilical surgery in children.