The current study will compare the effects on postoperative pain relief of “freezing” (ropivacaine 0.2 %) alone and in combination with clonidine for a nerve block in children undergoing hernia repair. We anticipate that the addition of clonidine to “freezing” will result in prolongation of postoperative pain relief in children undergoing hernia repair compared to “freezing” used alone.

Condition	Intervention	Phase
Hernia, Inguinal Hydrocele	Drug: clonidine	Phase II

Further Study Details: 

Primary Outcomes: time to first analgesia
Secondary Outcomes: continuous pain scores (mCHEOPS, modified Wong-Baker Faces); sedation scores; emergence delirium score (PAED); total analgesics consumed; total sedation consumed
Expected Total Enrollment:  128

The optimal method of controlling postoperative pain in children undergoing hernia repair would effectively relieve pain for extended periods of time and have no adverse effects. Unfortunately, such an ideal technique does not exist.

The control of postoperative pediatric pain after hernia repair is achieved with a combination of oral and intravenous pain medications and “nerve blocks”. "Nerve blocks" are achieved by injecting local anesthetics or what is commonly referred to as "freezing "next to the nerve supply of the wound. “Freezing” the major nerves supplying sensation at the site of hernia repair in children, while they are asleep, is effective. At CHEO, this technique in addition to administering ketorolac, a liquid intravenous form of an anti-inflammatory agent similar to Advil, is the current technique of choice for postoperative pain control after inguinal hernia.

It is not unusual for these patients to require extra pain medications postoperatively. Available means of pain control in addition to those mentioned above include codeine-like medications, Tylenol, Advil-like medications and opioids administered intravenously. The addition of these medications increases the risk of suffering from side effects including respiratory depression, nausea and vomiting, and itching.

Ideally, the prolongation of postoperative pain relief by the addition of a second medication to the "freezing" during the nerve block would limit the need for additional pain medication and hence, decrease their associated side effects. Clonidine has the potential to be such a medication. It has been shown to provide pain relief by affecting several areas of the nervous system including the brain, the spinal cord and nerves. Clonidine prolongs pain relief of certain local anesthetics when used in nerve blocks for adults. Unfortunately, there are no studies that have examined the combination of clonidine and the local anesthetic ropivacaine for nerve blocks in children. Presently, the injectable form of clonidine is not marketed and is considered investigational in Canada.

The current study will be a prospective double -blind, randomized, controlled trial. It will compare the effects on postoperative pain relief of “freezing” (ropivacaine 0.2 %) alone and in combination with clonidine for a nerve block in children undergoing hernia repair. In addition, it will measure changes in the child’s level of sedation, breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and any complications. Finally, it will assess how satisfied the parents are with this technique.

We anticipate that the addition of clonidine to “freezing” will result in prolongation of postoperative pain relief in children undergoing hernia repair compared to “freezing” used alone.

Ages Eligible for Study:  1 Year   -   13 Years,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Unilateral inguinal hernia or hydrocele
• 1 to 13 years old
• American Society of Anesthesiology classification I-II
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exclusion to nerve block
• Clotting disorder
• Infection
• Known allergy to clonidine or ropivacaine
• History of chronic, therapeutic administration of analgesics
• Receiving medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Patients taking oral clonidine
• Undergoing bilateral hernia repair
• Morbid obesity

Please refer to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov identifier  NCT00130091

Kimmo Murto, MD      613-737-2431    kmurto@cheo.on.ca

Canada, Ontario
      Children''''s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa,  Ontario,  K1H 8L1,  Canada

Study chairs or principal investigators

Kimmo Murto, MD,  Principal Investigator,  Children''''s Hospital of Eastern Ontario   

Study ID Numbers:  05/17E
Last Updated:  August 12, 2005
Record first received:  August 11, 2005
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00130091
Health Authority: Canada: Health Canada
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-08-23