A Comparative Study Between Age-Based and Weight-Based Bupivacaine Dosing for Pediatric Spinal Anesthesia in Children Undergoing Elective Infra-Umbilical Surgeries

NCT ID: NCT07035184

Last Updated: 2025-06-25

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-08-01

Study Completion Date

2025-10-15

Brief Summary

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This prospective randomized double-blinded controlled trial will include 60 pediatric patients aged 1 - 6 years old, both sexes, with American society of anesthesiologists (I and II) and undergoing elective infra-umbilical surgeries with anticipated duration ≤ 90 minutes. Patients will be randomly divided into two equal groups: Weight-based dosing (Group A) and age-based dosing group (Group B). Both groups will receive hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5%. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of using age based dosing of Bupivacaine compared with standard method of weight based dosing in pediatric spinal anesthesia.

Detailed Description

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This prospective randomized double-blinded controlled trial will be conducted on 60 pediatric patients who will undergo elective infra-umbilical surgeries, e.g., inguinal hernia repair, orchiopexy, etc. admitted to the operating theatres of Abu El Reesh Children's Hospital, Cairo University.

Randomization and blinding An online randomization program (http://www.randomizer.org) will be used to generate a random list, and each patient's code will be kept in an opaque sealed envelope. Patients will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 allocation ratio into two equal groups in a parallel manner:

* Group A (n=30): Children will receive spinal anesthesia according to weight-based dosing calculation of bupivacaine
* Group B (n=30): Children will receive spinal anesthesia according to age-based dosing calculation of bupivacaine. The patient and/or related guardian will be blinded to group assignment as well as the anesthesiologist involved in data collection and analysis. A physician who is not involved in the study prepared the interventional medications.

Methods:

All patients will be subjected to the followings:

1. History taking and demographic data collection (age, sex, weight, and ASA).
2. Complete clinical examination.
3. Routine Laboratory investigations

All patients will be instructed to fast according to the following guidelines:

2 hours for clear fluids, 4 hours for breastmilk, 6 hours for formula milk and other particulate fluids. EMLA cream (5%) will be applied to the anticipated puncture sites for IV cannulation and covered for 45 minutes before transport to the OR, to facilitate the insertion of an intravenous (IV) cannula. Premedication included intramuscular (IM) midazolam at 0.3 mg/kg and atropine at 0.02 mg/kg, administered 15 minutes before transportation to the operating room (OR). Upon arrival in the OR, standard monitoring equipment will be applied, including electrocardiography, non-invasive blood pressure, and pulse oximetry. The anesthesia machine and all necessary equipment and medications for general anesthesia (GA) will be prepared for each patient. The IV cannula will be inserted, secured and checked with a saline flush. IV midazolam at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg will be given at the time of spinal anesthesia administration to ensure immobility during the procedure.

A Pediatric Analog Sedation Score (PASS) will be used to evaluate sedation levels during the procedure as well as intraoperatively, where a score of 0 = no sedation, 1 = slightly sedated, 2 = moderately sedated, 3 = well sedated, and 4 = heavily sedated. The target sedation score is 1, indicating minimal sedation. The child will be positioned in the lateral decubitus position, and under strict aseptic conditions, the lumbar region will be sterilized using Betadine. A lumbar puncture will be performed at the L4-L5 interspace (Tuffier's line) using a 2.5-inch 22-gauge Quincke needle by an experienced anesthesiologist. A formula will be used to estimate the distance from skin to subarachnoid space (mm) = \[2 × weight (kg)\]+ 7(mm). This will be used as a guide to reduce chances of inserting the spinal needle too deep. Two attempts at obtaining a free flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) will be allowed; if unsuccessful, the patient will be excluded from the study and switched to GA. A new attempt involves removing the needle and reinserting it. The calculated dose of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (Trade name: Sunnypivacaine, Manufacturer: Sunny Pharmaceuticals, Country: Egypt) will be aspirated and administered via a 3-ml syringe.

Group A:

Hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% will be administered based on weight:

* 0.4 mg/kg (0.08 ml/kg) for children weighing 5-15 kg
* 0.3 mg/kg (0.06 ml/kg) for children weighing \>15 kg.

Group B:

Hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% will be calculated using Partha formula by dividing the child's age in years by 5. The resultant figure will be considered to be the dose of Bupivacaine in ml. If the number of months after the completion of a year in age is more than 6 months, the child's age will be noted to be the year older.

After obtaining free flow of CSF, and negative aspiration test for blood, the local anesthetic will be administered slowly. Then, the child will be placed in a supine position with a small pillow under the head. IV fluids will be administered at a rate of 4 ml/kg/hr. Sensory and motor levels will be assessed every minute for the first 5 minutes. The adequacy of the block will be determined by the lack of response to a firm skin pinch at the dermatomal level. The peak sensory level will be determined when the dermatomal level remained unchanged in at least two consecutive assessments. If the patient reported pain, the block will be considered failed, and they are excluded from the study. Motor blockade at or above the L1 level will be tested using superficial abdominal reflexes. After a maximum of ten minutes after spinal anesthesia, the target peak sensory level should be at least T10, and the Bromage score should be 3, indicating a complete motor block. Only then the surgery will be proceeded. Iff inadequate sensory or motor block are observed (e.g., peak sensory level below T10 or Bromage score \<3), GA will be administered, and the failure will be documented.

Conditions

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Pediatrics Spinal Aneshtesia Infraumbilical Surgeries

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Caregivers Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Group A: weight-based formula group

Children will receive spinal anesthesia according to the weight-based dosing calculation of Hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% as following: 0.4 mg/kg (0.08 ml/kg) for children weighing 5-15 kg or 0.3 mg/kg (0.06 ml/kg) for children weighing \>15 kg

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Spinal Anesthesia with Bupivacaine

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Group A (n=30) will receive spinal anesthesia according to the weight-based dosing calculation of bupivacaine.

Group B: Age-based formula group

Children will receive spinal anesthesia according to the age-based dosing calculation of bupivacaine. Hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% will be calculated using Partha formula by dividing the child's age in years by 5. The resultant figure will be considered to be the dose of Bupivacaine in ml. If the number of months after the completion of a year in age is more than 6 months, the child's age will be noted to be the year older.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Spinal Anesthesia with Bupivacaine

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Group B (n=30) will receive spinal anesthesia according to the age-based dosing calculation of bupivacaine.

Interventions

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Spinal Anesthesia with Bupivacaine

Group A (n=30) will receive spinal anesthesia according to the weight-based dosing calculation of bupivacaine.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Spinal Anesthesia with Bupivacaine

Group B (n=30) will receive spinal anesthesia according to the age-based dosing calculation of bupivacaine.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Children aged 1-6 years

* Both genders.
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II.
* Elective infra-umbilical surgeries with anticipated duration ≤ 90 minutes.

Exclusion Criteria

* Guardian refusal.

* Children with significant congenital heart disease (e.g., septal defects requiring surgical intervention)
* Children with neuromuscular disorders or high intracranial pressure.
* Children with spinal deformities or morbid obesity (body mass index (BMI) above the 99th percentile).
* Children with a history or family history of coagulation disorders.
* Children with local infection at the site of skin puncture for spinal anesthesia.
* Children with known allergy to Bupivacaine.
* Surgeries requiring Trendelenburg or prone position.
* Unexpected prolongation of surgery \> 90 minutes
Minimum Eligible Age

1 Year

Maximum Eligible Age

6 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Cairo University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Hany Mohammed El-Hadi Shoukat Mohammed

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Abu Elreesh Pediatric Hospital

Cairo, Assida Zainab, Egypt

Site Status

Countries

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Egypt

Central Contacts

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Hany M.EH Mohammed, MD

Role: CONTACT

Facility Contacts

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Hany M. El-Hadi Mohammed, MD

Role: primary

References

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Crellin DJ, Harrison D, Santamaria N, Huque H, Babl FE. The Psychometric Properties of the FLACC Scale Used to Assess Procedural Pain. J Pain. 2018 Aug;19(8):862-872. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2018.02.013. Epub 2018 Mar 15.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29551662 (View on PubMed)

Srinivasan P, Saravanan B, Kulandayan I, Thambidurai S, Mahalakshmi V. Evaluation of efficacy and safety of age-based intrathecal dosing of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine in the paediatric age group. J Clin Diagn Res. 2020;14(8):29-31.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Troncin R, Dadure C. Paediatric spinal anaesthesia. management. 2009;4(3):8-12.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Elsharkawi NG. Simple pediatric analog sedation score (PASS). Anesth Analg. 1999 Jan;88(1):227. doi: 10.1097/00000539-199901000-00043. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9895098 (View on PubMed)

Luca E, Schipa C, Cambise C, Sollazzi L, Aceto P. Implication of age-related changes on anesthesia management. Saudi J Anaesth. 2023 Oct-Dec;17(4):474-481. doi: 10.4103/sja.sja_579_23. Epub 2023 Aug 18.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 37779561 (View on PubMed)

Hebbes CP, Thompson JP. Pharmacokinetics of anaesthetic drugs at extremes of body weight. BJA Educ. 2018 Dec;18(12):364-370. doi: 10.1016/j.bjae.2018.09.001. Epub 2018 Oct 26. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33456803 (View on PubMed)

Visavakul O, Leurcharusmee P, Pipanmekaporn T, Khorana J, Patumanond J, Phinyo P. Effective Dose Range of Intrathecal Isobaric Bupivacaine to Achieve T5-T10 Sensory Block Heights for Elderly and Overweight Patients: An Observational Study. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Mar 1;59(3):484. doi: 10.3390/medicina59030484.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36984485 (View on PubMed)

Parthasarathy S, Senthilkumar T. Age-based Local Anesthetic Dosing in Pediatric Spinal Anesthesia: Evaluation of a New Formula - A Pilot Study in Indian Patients. Anesth Essays Res. 2017 Jul-Sep;11(3):627-629. doi: 10.4103/aer.AER_246_16.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28928560 (View on PubMed)

Lonnqvist PA. Spinal anaesthesia in children: A narrative review. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2023 Jun;37(2):133-138. doi: 10.1016/j.bpa.2023.01.002. Epub 2023 Feb 7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 37321762 (View on PubMed)

Jefferson FA, Findlay BL, Handlogten KS, Gargollo PC, Warner LL, Woodbury JM, Haile DT, Granberg CF. Spinal anesthesia in infants undergoing urologic surgery duration greater than 60 minutes. J Pediatr Urol. 2022 Dec;18(6):786.e1-786.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2022.07.003. Epub 2022 Jul 14.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35945145 (View on PubMed)

Verma D, Naithani U, Gokula C, Harsha. Spinal anesthesia in infants and children: A one year prospective audit. Anesth Essays Res. 2014 Sep-Dec;8(3):324-9. doi: 10.4103/0259-1162.143124.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25886329 (View on PubMed)

Heydinger G, Tobias J, Veneziano G. Fundamentals and innovations in regional anaesthesia for infants and children. Anaesthesia. 2021 Jan;76 Suppl 1:74-88. doi: 10.1111/anae.15283.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33426659 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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"MS-503-2024"

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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