Caudal blockade for children undergoing infra-abdominal surgery.

The assessment and management of pain in children can be complicated by their inability to communicate effectively; therefore, it is important that every attempt be made to circumvent the undertreatment of pain. Caudal blockade is associated with excellent pain relief and minimal side effects, and it is an established technique used in conjunction with general anesthesia for children undergoing infra-abdominal surgery. Available local anesthetic agents have a relatively short analgesic duration period, so anesthesia professionals often combine their use with adjuvant medications (eg, epinephrine, clonidine, fentanyl, morphine, preservative-free ketamine, neostigmine). Additional consideration should be given to intraoperative care, postoperative observation (eg, measuring sedation, motor blockade, postoperative nausea and vomiting, pain), and discharge instructions for the patient's caregiver.