The plasma concentrations of lidocaine were measured by HPLC(high-performance liquid-chromatography) when 415 mg of 1.5 and 2% plain lidocaine(group 1), carbonated lidocaine(group 2) and lidocaine with epinephrine(group 3) were injected into the caudal spaces of 30 patients. Peak concentrations were achieved 15, 20 and 30 min, after injection in group 1,2 and 3, respectively. The maximum values of mean concentration in group 1,2 and 3 were 3.30+/-0.83, 3.31+/-0.81 and 1.86+/-0.52 ug/ml (mean+/-SD), respectively. The plasma concentration in group 3 were lower than those in groups 1 and 2 at intervals of 5,10,15 and 20 min. However, it was uncertain whether carbonated lidocaine was absorbed more rapidly thus producing significantly higher blood concentrations. The results indicated a significant difference in the plasma concentration of epinephrine-mixed lidocaine from that of plain or carbonated lidocaine. We suggest that in caudal anesthesia, epinephrine(1:200,000) with lidocaine has an advantage with respect to lowering the plasma concentration of lidocaine.
Anesthesia, Caudal* ; Carbon ; Humans ; Lidocaine* ; Plasma*

BACKGROUND: Caudal epidural anesthesia is commonly performed in conjunction with general anesthesia. Bupivacaine and Levobupivacaine are used in epidural blockade that provide anesthesia and analgesia intraoperative and post-operatively.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the intraoperative and postoperative efficacy and safety of Bupivacaine and Levobupivacaine in children undergoing elective sub-umbilical operations under general and caudal anesthesia.

METHODS: Randomized control trial done in Philippine Children's Medical Center. Sixty-one subjects aged 6-months -8 years old, ASA I-II, undergoing subumbilical operations were randomly grouped to receive Bupivacaine and Levobupivacaine during anesthesia induction. Hemodynamic parameters, Bromage, and CHIPPS were recorded.

RESULTS: Results suggest both drugs have a significant effect in lowering heart rate and MAP. Bromage scores for patients from both groups are consistent at 0. The number of patients with a CHIPPS classification of 4-10, is significantly higher for bupivacaine group than levobupivacaine group.

CONCLUSION: Both Bupivacaine and Levobupivacaine provide adequate analgesia intraoperatively with no reports of intraoperative movement, increased inhalational agent concentration and additional intravenous analgesics. Post-operatively, no adverse effects and motor block was noted however Levobupivacaine has a longer efficacy as it required lesser rescue does post-operatively compared to Bupivacaine. 

No abstract available.
Anesthesia, Caudal* ; Hernia, Inguinal* ; Humans ; Infant* ; Masks* ; Ventilation*

Spinal anesthesia in preterm infants offers a safe alternative to general anesthesia, especially if general anesthesia is not preferred because of coexisting diseases, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and recurring of apnea. But the single-shot technique of spinal anesthesia has some limitations because the duration of surgical anesthesia is approximately 60 min. Since some procedures may require more time, alternative regional techniques which provide more prolonged surgical anesthesia are needed. We present our experience with a combined spinal caudal anesthesia in a preterm infant.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Caudal* ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Apnea ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature*

Caudal anesthesia appears to be a safe and reliable technique for surgical anesthesia as well as an alternative to narcotics for postoperative analgesia for procedure below umbilicus. From January 1990 to December 1992, we examined the trend and distribution of the 1038 cases of caudal anesthesia retrospectively according to year, age, surgieal department, type of operation, operation time, local anesthetics and suecess rate. Annual numbers of caudal anesthesia increased with years and the first decade of life was the greatest number. The most common department and operation time were general surgery and 30~60 minutes. 2% or 1% lidocaine with epinephrine was the major local anesthetics used during caudal anesthesia and overall success rate was 95.5%.
Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Caudal* ; Anesthesia, Conduction ; Anesthetics, Local ; Epinephrine ; Lidocaine ; Narcotics ; Retrospective Studies ; Umbilicus

Pediatric caudal anesthesia appears to be a safe and reliable technique for surgical procedures below the umbilicus. Advantages of caudal anesthesia in infants and children include the simplicity of the technique, the high success rate, the post operative pain relief and the rare complication rate. The aim of this study was to determine an ideal local anesthetic agent and its dosage for clinical practice in pediatric caudal anesthesia. Caudal anesthesia was given to 97 patients who were divided into three groups. Group I was given 1% lidocaine l ml/kg, Group 2 was given 1% lidocaine 0.7 ml/kg and Group 3 was given 0.25% bupivacaine 1 ml/kg. All caudal blocks were carried out in the left lateral position after thiopental 4-5 mg/kg iv or under general anesthesia with halothane. The duration of anesthesia, the side effects during and after operation, the post operative pain score, motor activity, and sensory level were observed and compared among the three groups. As the result of this study, we think that caudal anesthesia using 1% lidocaine and 0.25% bupivacaine is a safe, simple and practical method in clinical practice for infants and children. The duration of anesthesia ranged from 60 to 120 minutes, and side effects were rare and insignificant. The patients position for caudal blocks was most suitable in the left lateral position. We came to the conclusion that the use of 1% lidocaine 1 ml/kg is most practical in safe practice of pediatric caudal anesthesia and 1% lidocaine 0.7 ml/kg and 0.25% bupivacaine l ml/ kg can be recommended depending on the surgical locations and required time for surgical procedures.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Caudal* ; Anesthesia, General ; Bupivacaine* ; Child ; Halothane ; Humans ; Infant ; Lidocaine ; Motor Activity ; Thiopental ; Umbilicus

The composition and the structure of the sacrum present the sexual and the racial difference. The variation of the structure is meaningful in the administration of caudal anesthesia which used one of the safest and the most valuable means of local anesthesia. In this study, a morphological investigation of the sacrum in Korean adults was done using 145 dry sacral bones. Non-metrical morphological variations were observed and ten measurements were undertaken. The results of the study were as follows. 1. The five segmented sacrum appeared most commonly (62.1%). Six segmented sacrum appeared 37.2% and the incidence tended to increse according to the age. Four segmented sacrum was noted in one case (0.7%). 2. In 9.7%, deficiences existed in the upper dorsal wall of the sacral canal. In 5.5%, deficiences existed in the middle of the dorsal wall of the sacral canal. 3. The apex of the sacral hiatus was found mostly (28.9%) at the upper third of the body of fifth sacral vertebra. 4. The sacral hiatus was classified into five groups by shape with triangular being the most frequent. 5. There was a significant sexual difference in the antero-posterior and transverse diameters of the first sacral vertebral body, the length of the sacrum, and the length of the sacral hiatus. 6. The average sacral index I was 98.2 in male, and 104.4 in female. Sacral index I was the relationship between the greaster breath to the length of the sacrum. 7. The average sacral index II was 46.6 in male, and 44.8 in female. Sacral index II was the relationship between the first sacral body diameter to the greaster breath of the sacrum. A thorough knowledge of the anatomical features of the dorsum of the sacrum including above results will lead to the decrease in the number of failures in administration of caudal anesthesia.
Adult* ; Anesthesia, Caudal ; Anesthesia, Local ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Sacrum* ; Spine

The caudal block has been used as an alternative to general anesthesia in specific circumstances such as anal surgery, perineal surgery or surgery of lower extremity etc. It has been also used as an adjunct to general anesthesia, administered at the completion of surgery to provide postoperative analgesia especially in children. But, it has variable complications such as generalized intoxication, pain on the injection site, infection or urinary retention etc. We report an unusual case of metastatic sacrococcygeal tumor from adenocarcinoma of lung presenting as severe anal pain and sciatica which was aggravated after the trial of caudal anesthesia.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Analgesia ; Anesthesia, Caudal* ; Anesthesia, General ; Child ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Lung* ; Sciatica ; Urinary Retention

The changes of onset and duration of caudal epidural anesthesia had been compared in 54 patients schedulled for perianal surgery at kyungpook National University HospitoL The patients were divided into 3 groups of 18: lidocaine group received 2% lidocaine 20 ml, mixture group received 2% lidocaine 10 ml and 0.5% bupivacaine 10 ml and bupivcaaine group received 0.5% bupivacaine 20 ml. The onsets were as follows. The onsets wiere 3.11+/-0.63 in lidocaine group, 4.83+/-4.17 in mixture group and 8.13+/-3.49 min in bupivacaine group. The onset of bupivacaine group was slower than lidocaine group(p<0.01) and late compared with mixture group(p<0.5). The duration of caudal anesthesia were 192.00+/-62.49 in lidocaine group, 326.72+/-145.28 in mixture group and 419.22+/-125.37min in bupivacaine group. Significant differences were observed between mixture-lidocaine group(p<0.01), bupivacaine-lidocaine group(p<0.01) and bupivacaine-mixture group(p<0.05). Urinary catheteiized patients were 8 in longest duration group of bupivacaine. It is suggested from the above'results that the mixture of lidocaine and bupivacaine during caudal epidural anesthesia can produce rapid onset and long duration.
Anesthesia, Caudal* ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; Anesthetics, Local* ; Bupivacaine ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Lidocaine

Pediatric caudal anesthesia was done in 50 infants and children under 10 years of age, who were to undergo surgery of inguinal region. All cases were given 10mg/kg body weigh t of 1% lidocaine solution with epinephrine 1:200,000. The results were as follows: 1) Pediatric caudal anesthesia was simple, easy and reliable in technique. 2) Additional intravenous administration of Ketamine or pentothal sodium was needed. i.e., to provide a more cooperative state. 3) Anesthetic effect was judged very Excellent. 4) Cardiovascular and respiratory changes were minimal. Author's came to conclusion that caudal anesthesia for pediatric inguinal region surgery in reliable, simple in technique, favorable to surgeon, and is considered to be a good technique for pediatric anesthesia.
Administration, Intravenous ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Caudal* ; Anesthetics ; Child ; Epinephrine ; Humans ; Infant ; Ketamine ; Lidocaine ; Sodium ; Thiopental