Comparison of Caudal Block and Sacral Erector Spinae Block for Postoperative Analgesia

Comparison of Caudal Block and Sacral Erector Spinae Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Circumcision in Pediatric Patients: A Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

Caudal block (CB) has been the method used for years to achieve adequate postoperative analgesia in pediatric patients, which is one of the main responsibilities of an anesthetist. CB, which has been proven to provide effective analgesia for many different indications, is the most commonly performed neuraxial block technique for postoperative pain control in urogenital surgeries. However, in the following years, truncal nerve blocks are recommended for postoperative analgesia by the literature both for more effective analgesia and for preventing complications of CB that may prevent early mobilization and prolong hospital discharge

Circumcision, which is widely performed in male children for cultural and religious reasons in our country, is one of the daily urological surgical procedures with painful postoperative period. However, in the following years, truncal nerve blocks are recommended for postoperative analgesia by the literature both for more effective analgesia and for preventing complications of CB that may prevent early mobilization and prolong hospital discharge. Based on this knowledge, in order to provide postoperative analgesia in urogenital surgeries in male children sacral ESP (SESP) block can be used as an alternative to CB due to its undesirable effects

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1-7 years of age
• 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:

• Less than 1 or more than 7 years of age
• A neurological deficit, bleeding diathesis, or a history of local anesthetic allergy; an infection or redness in the injection area, congenital lumbar anomaly, liver and/or kidney disorder, a psychiatric disorder, mental retardation, or communication problems detected during examination
• Unwilling to to participate to the study ((parents or children)