Dexmedetomidine Sedation Versus General Anaesthesia for Inguinal Hernia Surgery in Infants

Several epidemiologic studies have suggested that children exposed to general anaesthesia (GA) in early childhood may be at increased risk of subsequent learning disabilities and behavioural problems. Animal studies have shown that exposure to GA agents during critical neuro-developmental windows induces neuronal apoptosis. All commonly used anaesthetic agents induce neurotoxicity with the exception of dexmedetomidine, a highly specific alpha-2 agonist which has been shown to be neuroprotective.

GA is the current standard of care for inguinal hernia repair in infants at KKH. The investigators recently demonstrated that dexmedetomidine sedation with caudal block is a feasible alternative for inguinal hernia repair in infants below 3 months of age. This prospective randomized controlled trial will compare the early and long-term outcomes of infants following inguinal hernia surgery using dexmedetomidine sedation with caudal block versus GA with caudal block.

This study aims:

• To compare the neurodevelopment at 6 months and 2years, of infants randomized to dexmedetomidine sedation with caudal block with those randomized to GA with caudal block for inguinal hernia surgery before 3 months of age.
• To compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidine sedation with caudal block versus GA with caudal block for inguinal hernia surgery, in terms of duration of anaesthesia, duration of surgery and surgeon's satisfaction with intraoperative conditions.

Inclusion criteria

• Infants below 3 months of age ( corrected age 54 weeks) presenting for elective inguinal hernia repair in KKH.

Exclusion criteria

• History of prematurity younger than 28 weeks gestation,
• Requirement for CPAP greater than 6 cmH20 at time of surgery
• Significant cardiac pathology or cardiac conduction defects
• Unusually large hernia sacs
• Any contraindication for caudal anesthesia
• Surgeon refusal on account of anticipated prolonged or difficult surgery.