Effects of patient-controlled epidural analgesia with ropivacaine for post-operative analgesia in children

Aim: To study the effects of low GAAB2 dose ropivacaine combinated with fentanyl, midazolam, dexamethasone and ondansetron for pediatric postoperative analgesia with patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA). Methods: fourty-four ASAⅠ~Ⅱpatients aging 3~6 years and weighing 11~23 kg,were randomly divided into two groups,22 in each group. PCEA mixture of group A consisted of 1 g/L ropivacaine,0.001 g/L fentanyl, 0.07 mg/kg midazolam, 5 mg dexamethasone and 4 mg ondansetron.That of group B consisted of the same drugs without midazolam. Basal infusion was 2 ml/h supplemented with patient-controlled boluses (bolus dosage:0.5 ml,lockout time:30 min). The pain visual analogue scale(VAS),sedation scores, modified bromage score(MBS), HR, RR, SpO_2, electrocardiogram,intestines and stomach function resume time after operation and side effect were recorded at 4 h,20 h,30 h,and 48 h after operation.Results: The analgesia efficacy was satisfactory in both groups.The sedation score was significantly higher in group A compared with that in group B(P0.001). The other parameters had no significant difference between the 2 groups(P0.05)Conclusion: The low-dose ropivacaine combinated with fentanyl, midazolam, dexamethasone and ondansetron for pediatric postoperative analgesia with PCEA is highly effective and safe.