OBJECTIVE

To explore the impact of perioperative intravenous (IV) paracetamol, administered with caudal ropivacaine on the quality of postoperative recovery in children undergoing hypospadias repair.

STUDY DESIGN

Double-blinded randomised controlled trial. Place and Duration of the Study: The operating room, post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU), and paediatric surgical ward at the Aga Khan University Hospital, from 31st January 2019 to 1st May 2022.

METHODOLOGY

Children aged 3-10 years undergoing hypospadias repair were randomly divided into two groups. Group P was administered IV paracetamol 15 mg/kg an hour before the completion of the repair procedure. Group C received a placebo instead of paracetamol. Modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) was measured at 15 and 30 minutes, and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours postoperatively. The sedation score was documented for four hours postoperatively.

RESULTS

Out of total 59 children included in the analysis, 55% (n = 16) in the Group P and 45% (n = 13) in the Group C needed additional analgesia within the first six hours post-procedure. No significant variations were observed between the groups' CHEOPS scores and sedation levels.

CONCLUSION

The addition of perioperative intravenous paracetamol 15 mg/kg in combination with 0.25% ropivacaine through the caudal route, along with general anaesthesia, did not significantly affect the quality of postoperative recovery in children measured by pain score and sedation.

KEY WORDS

Intravenous paracetamol, Caudal analgesia, Ropivacaine, Paediatric patients.