Caudal Block for Analgesia in Pediatrics Undergoing Hypospadias Repair Surgery under General Anesthesia

Abstract

Background: The treatment of anesthetic patients increasingly includes postoperative pain management. Many methods of controlling juvenile pain have been devised, with caudal blocking being the most widely used.Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of pain management during and after hypospadias correction surgery in pediatric patients under general anesthesia alone and general anesthesia combined with caudal block. Patients and methods: A total of 42 pediatric patients scheduled for hypospadius repair surgery, were equally divided into two groups (21 in each); Group G received general anesthesia only and Group GC received general anesthesia combined with caudal block. Results: Group G had significantly higher dose of intraoperative fentanyl (16.09±1.99 microgram) versus (13.71±1.71microgram) in Group GC. Regarding the duration since the first analgesia request, it was significantly longer in Group GC (96±0.106 min) when compared to Group G (34.67±4.69). All cases of Group G needed analgesics while only (22.8%) of Group GC needed analgesics. Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability scale (FLACC) score was significantly lower in Group GC from immediately postoperative until 8 hours compared to Group G. FLACC score was non-significantly lower in both groups of study 12 hours and 24 hours post-operative. Conclusion: General anesthesia combined with caudal block was safe and effective for post-operative pain control than general anesthesia only in pediatrics patients undergoing hypospadius repair surgery.