Serum Cortisol levels in µg/dl

(mean +/− sd)

Group A

(Caudal)

Group B

(Thoracic epidural)

Group C

(Intravenous

analgesia)

P value with in

groups from base

line to 12 hrs

P value between

the groups

Baseline

24.47 (6.09)

24.43 (6.90)

24.73 (10.68)

0.001

*0.230

On CPB

40.17 (13.21)

32.03 (12.91)

60.63 (29.24)

†0.001

6 hrs after intervention

51.03 (21.36)

38.90 (19.56)

75.71 (27.87)

‡0.001

12 hrs after intervention

61.17 (33.49)

44.20 (34.34)

89.13 (43.20)