ropivacaine + epinephrine + clonidine

This specific analgesic formulation is used for pediatric caudal anesthesia and was developed for clinical evaluation at the Medical University of South Carolina. The protocol utilizes a high-volume (1.5 cc/kg), low-concentration (0.15%) solution of ropivacaine, supplemented with epinephrine (5 mcg/mL) and clonidine (1 mcg/mL). Ropivacaine serves as a long-acting local anesthetic by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels, thereby inhibiting nerve impulse conduction. Epinephrine is included as a vasoconstrictor to prolong the local anesthetic effect and minimize systemic absorption. Clonidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, is added to the mixture to enhance the quality and duration of the caudal block's analgesia and to potentially mitigate postoperative emergence agitation. This combination is primarily investigated for the management of postoperative pain in pediatric patients undergoing surgical procedures such as circumcision.

Other names

High Volume-Low Concentration with clonidineHigh Volume-Low Concentration Caudal Block