Caudal Epidural Block Versus Ultrasound-Guided Pudendal Nerve Block for Pediatric Circumcision

Ultrasound-Guided Low-dose Caudal Epidural Block Versus Ultrasound-Guided Pudendal Nerve Block for Pediatric Circumcision: A Prospective Observational Study

The regional anesthesia methods of caudal epidural block (CEB) and dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) play an important role in providing postoperative pain control in pediatric circumcision surgery. However, the short-term postoperative analgesic effect and the risk of block failure limit the use of DPNB, a peripheral nerve block.

CEB is a neuraxial block and commonly used to control moderate and severe postoperative pain following surgery related to the lumbosacral and midthoracic dermatomes. CEB can have serious undesirable complications such as intravascular and subarachnoid injection, urinary retention and motor block. Pudendal nerve block can be used as an alternative to both DPNB and CEB for penile surgery such as circumcision. The pudendal nerve is a peripheral nerve combining the anterior rami of the sacral plexus nerves (S2-S4) and provides motor and sensory innervation to the perineal region.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male patients aged between 4-12 years
• ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) I-II group
• Scheduled for circumcision
• Able to communicate in Turkish
• Willing to participate to the study (parents and children)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged less than 4 or more than 12 years
• Neurological deficit
• Bleeding diathesis
• History of local anesthetic allergy
• Current infection or redness in the region to be injected
• Congenital lower back anomaly
• Liver disease
• Psychiatric disorder
• Mental retardation
• Communication problem
• Refusal to participate in the study.