Caudal epidural analgesia

Caudal block has made an important contribution to paediatric anaesthesia for more than 70 years. In the first half of this chapter, we discuss the technique in children of different ages and the equipment available, the applications and the advantages and disadvantages of ‘single-shot’ and catheter techniques, and the associated complications. We then discuss the local anaesthetic agents commonly used, and the newer drugs (e.g. clonidine, ketamine) which are combined with local anaesthetics to prolong the duration of analgesia.