Recent developments in paediatric regional anaesthesia.
OBJECTIVE
This review will focus on recently published data concerning side effects and complications of paediatric regional anaesthesia, putting into perspective the currently used techniques.


RESULTS
Penile block is clearly a technique with a very large benefit and minimal side effects. Ilioinguinal nerve block, on the other hand, quite commonly leads to complications. Single-shot caudal anaesthesia is considered a safe and effective technique; however, even with this widely used block, complications such as sacral osteomyelitis can occur. Recent review articles have focussed on the role of additives for prolonging the duration of paediatric caudal anaesthesia. The use of ketamine or s-ketamine as an additive appears to be most promising for the future.


CONCLUSIONS
Paediatric regional anaesthesia is now widely used for postoperative pain relief in children. However, a careful risk-benefit analysis is always mandatory before such medical interventions are undertaken.
Jöhr
Martin
M
Paediatric Anaesthesia, Department of Anaesthesia, Kantonsspital, Luzern, Switzerland. joehrmartin@bluewin.ch
Berger
Thomas M
TM