caudal block
Pronunciation: KAW-dal
Regional anesthesia technique involving injection of local anesthetic through the sacral hiatus, commonly used for pediatric lower abdominal and urological procedures.
Full Definition
A caudal block is a type of neuraxial anesthesia performed by injecting local anesthetic through the sacral hiatus into the caudal epidural space. This technique is particularly popular in pediatric anesthesia because it provides excellent postoperative analgesia for procedures below the umbilicus while avoiding the risks associated with higher neuraxial blocks in children. The sacral hiatus is more easily palpable in pediatric patients, making this technique more reliable than in adults. Common indications include circumcision, hernia repair, urological procedures, and lower extremity orthopedic surgery.
Usage
Usage note: Use 'caudal block' rather than 'caudal anesthesia' in formal documentation.
In Context
- "A caudal block with 0.25% bupivacaine was performed to provide postoperative analgesia for the bilateral inguinal hernia repair." — Surgical note
- "The success rate of caudal blocks is highest in children under 8 years of age due to better anatomical landmarks." — Anesthesia protocol