Caudal Block for Inguinal Hernioplasty in Children

Efficacy and Safety of General Anesthesia With Caudal Block for Inguinal Hernioplasty in Children: a Randomized Controlled Trial

This is a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study designed to determine the effectiveness of caudal block combined with general anesthesia in providing intra- and postoperative analgesia, and its effect on hemodynamic stability and drug consumption.

This prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study will include 70 boys aged 3-5 years scheduled for inguinal herniorrhaphy. Participants will be randomized in 1:1 ratio into two groups. The first group will receive general anesthesia for surgery, while the second group will receive general anesthesia in combination with caudal block. Postoperative pain, hemodynamic parameters and total consumption of all medicaments in the perioperative period will be monitored. Complications and side effects of drugs will be observed as well.

Inclusion Criteria:

• boys between 3 to 5 years old
• scheduled for elective inguinal hernioplasty
• without comorbidities and chronic therapy, ASA class I
• body mass and growth normal for the given age
• no allergies
• no congenital anomalies and birth complications

Exclusion Criteria:

• emergency surgeries
• surgeries longer than 60 minutes
• acute infections with leucocytosis/leucopenia
• acute or chronic diseases
• deformities and disorders of spine and nervous system
• allergies
• pilonidal cyst and/or inflammation in sacral region