title: A comparison between caudal block versus splash block for postoperative analgesia following inguinal herniorrhaphy in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We wanted to determine the postoperative analgesic efficacy of preincisional caudal epidural block versus instillation (splash block) following inguinal herniorrhaphy in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  THIRTY CHILDREN (AGE RANGE: 1-7 years) who were scheduled to undergo inguinal herniorrhaphy were divided into 2 groups: the caudal block group and the splash block group with 15 children in each group. Tracheal intubation was performed. Fifteen children received caudal block with 1.0 ml/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine (Group 1). Caudal block was performed using the loss of resistance method via the sacral hiatus. Fifteen children in Group 2 received local instillation (splash block) in the surgical site with up to 0.4 ml/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine. The patients were observed for 90 minutes in the postanesthesia care unit and then they were transferred to the ward. The pain scores were taken 4 times. We assessed pain using the Faces pain scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the groups regarding the pain scores at 10, 30 and 60 minutes upon entering the postanesthesia care unit. The pain scores of Group 1 were slightly lower at the last evaluation point when compared to that of Group 2. One patient in Group 1 required supplemental postoperative intravenous (IV) tramadol, while all the other patients in both groups did not require supplemental IV tramadol. The intraoperative requirement for sevoflurane was decreased in Group 1 as compared to that of Group 2. There were no major complications related to either type of block.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that a splash block can have a similar analgesic effect as that of a caudal block for the postoperative herniorrhaphy pain of children.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Kwangju Christian Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
authors: Jun Kong
authors: JK
authors: Cheon
authors: Cheon Hee
authors: CH
authors: Park
authors: Kan Taeck
authors: KT
authors: Hwang
authors: Bo Yoon
authors: BY
authors: Choi
references: Semin Pediatr Surg. 1999 Feb;8(1):30-3
references: 10065567
references: Anesth Analg. 1989 Feb;68(2):83-9
references: 2913854
references: Paediatr Anaesth. 1996;6(6):475-7
references: 8936546
references: J Pediatr Surg. 1993 Apr;28(4):565-7
references: 8483071
references: Anesthesiology. 1989 Oct;71(4):495-501
references: 2478048
references: Anaesth Intensive Care. 1986 May;14(2):140-4
references: 3740387
references: Anesthesiology. 1987 Jun;66(6):832-4
references: 2884900
references: Anesth Analg. 1990 Jun;70(6):665-7
references: 2344063
references: Lancet. 1997 Mar 1;349(9052):599-603
references: 9057731
references: Anesth Analg. 1986 Oct;65(10):1074-6
references: 3752557
references: Paediatr Anaesth. 2003 Jun;13(5):397-402
references: 12791112
references: J Clin Anesth. 1996 Dec;8(8):634-8
references: 8982890
references: Anesth Analg. 1977 Sep-Oct;56(5):686-9
references: 562094
references: J Pediatr Surg. 1985 Oct;20(5):554-5
references: 4057027
references: Anesthesiology. 1990 Apr;72(4):637-9
references: 2321781